his brother Joseph, he sprung from the labours of the loom to the drill of the grammar school; and, thence, to the eager competition of college life, in which his superiority was so signally established, that in the prime of his days, with rare good fortune, as the world deemed it, he rose to the distinction of a Cambridge presidency, and to the lucrative honours of the deanery of Carlisle. From an early period, however, a better work than that of literary proficiency, had a beginning in young Milner's heart. It was first seen assuming a decided form in his intercourse with William Wilberforce, the friend of his youth, whose conversion to evangelical views, seems, under God, to have been the precious fruit of the conversation and correspondence of Isaac Milner. Nothing, however, we think, can be more evident, than the adverse influence of his academical position, and of his ecclesiastical character, on the prosperity of that inner life, which was now happily formed in his soul. His letters, for example, though plainly those of a good man, are by no means remarkable for unction-even those in which he offers to dear lord bishops, his opinions in religious matters, or his condolence in seasons of affliction. He appears to have had his hand more deeply than was supposed, in the Church History of his brother Joseph, in the way of revision and addition. The tender and most affectionate attachment of the brothers, is one of the chief beauties of the volume. They were remarkably like-minded-especially in matters of greatest moment. The dean very absurdly grew strongly Pittite in his politics; and, as was natural, had all along too much of church about him, in his feeling towards dissenters. Yet the following anecdote will help to show that the good man had the better of the bigot :-" Dean Milner having, during one of his many visits to London, heard Rowland Hill preach at his own crowded chapel, went to him in the vestry after the service was concluded, and, cordially shaking him by the hand, said, in the hearing of several persons - Mr Hill, Mr Hill, it is this slap-dash style of preaching, after all, that does all the good."

The Holy Land: Being Sketches of the Jews and of the Land of Palestine. London: Seeley, Burnside, and Seeley.

DESIGNED to give a succinct view of the promised land, and of the peculiar people, this volume contains a compilation of authentic details of Jewish history, both ancient and modern, together with such topographical information as is calculated to throw light on Scripture. Many interesting extracts are given in the words of the original writers; and almost all the modern journalists of note, who have visited Palestine, are made to contribute their quota. It well deserves a place in "the Christian's Family Library."

The Desk and the Counter. Young Men engaged in Trade, urged to Selfexertion for Advancement in True Dignity and Excellence. With Introductory Notice, by WILLIAM ANDERSON, Esq. Edinburgh: C. Ziegler.

"Young Men engaged in Trade," is a designation that speaks to our fears, as well as to our hopes. How important, then, to seize on their buoyant, sanguine, co-operative spirit-to guide it in its aims and efforts-and to bind it in true christian love, to christian service! To "old disciples," whose spirits are flagging, and whose ranks are thinning, what a solace it would be, to see our warehouses and our counting-houses, our banks and our shops, filled with successors, holy in their character, and blessed in their influence, living devoted to the world's salvation, and the Redeemer's

glory. Considering the movement that has been going on (and to which we heartily wish all success), for shortening the hours of business, this little book may be justly regarded as a book for the times. Gentlemen in business, will act a kind and prudent part, by putting it into the hands of those who are employed at "the desk and the counter." The perusal cannot fail to be productive of good. It abounds with excellent principles, and judicious practical suggestions, breathes an earnest and sincere spirit, and well deserves to be made a manual by that most interesting class, for whom it is designed. They will not soon find more that more deeply concerns them, in the same space or for the same money.

Wilson's Clerical Almanac for Scotland. Edinburgh: W. Oliphant and Sons.

FOR less than a fourth of the price of the largest class of almanacs, we have here a very full and well arranged compend of ecclesiastical matters usually supplied by such publications, with a variety of other lists, designed to render it clerical not merely in its contents, but in its adaptation as a calendar for the study table.

Perfect Peace: Letters Memorial of the late John Warren Howell, Esq. By the Rev. D. PITCAIRN. London: Jackson. Edinburgh: W. Oliphant and Sons.

THIS is a sigularly interesting, and, we doubt not, will prove an eminently useful volume. Notwithstanding its title, it has little in common with that class of publications, with which, in the shape of biographies, and memoirs, and remains, the press is constantly teeming. It contains, indeed, a narrative, concisely, yet luminously, written, of Mr Howell's short and uneventful career; the leading features in his fine intellectual and moral character, are sketched with considerable minuteness--but no more is said respecting him, his personal circumstances, or his professional attainments, than is necessary to the reader's right understanding of that great spiritual process, through which, during his last weeks on earth, he passed to the enjoyment of the peace which passeth understanding. The work, in fact, is a record, not so much of Mr Howell's life, as of the state of mind with which he was brought to contemplate, and eventually to meet, death. It offers for our perusal, a passage, in the history of a gifted human spirit, when unexpectedly made aware of its nearness to eternity. It invites us to the study of a soul setting itself in agonizing earnestness to prepare for the eternity into which, it feels, it is about to be launched. It forcibly illustrates the truth, that in such solemn circumstances, there is nothing which can sustain and cheer, except the faith of the gospel. It exemplifies the gracious dealings of God with those who, at whatever period in their lives, truly seek his face; and thus, the chamber of the dying is turned into a school in which the most profitable lessons may be acquired by the living. "An experienced minister of Christ, is here perceived guiding an immortal spirit on the way to everlasting happiness. It is a deeply interesting sight. The spiritual physician is called in to administer the medicine of eternal health. Stretched on his dying bed lies a healer of the body-himself past healing-and the only inquiry that bursts from his lips is this, What shall I do to be saved?""

Having thus indicated the general character of the book, we hasten to offer a rapid analysis of its contents. John Warren Howell, the subject of these Letters Memorial," was a young medical practitioner at Bath. To a vigorous and original intellect, which he had most diligently culti

vated, he added habits of close application to study; and having a restless and irrepressible desire for knowledge, he early became distinguished for the amount of his scientific and professional attainments. Those who personally knew him, speak not only of his acquirements, as being, in extent and variety, far beyond what is generally reached at his years; but of his amiable dispositions-his exquisite delicacy of feeling-his nice sense of honour-his incorruptible love of truth-and his entire freedom from that ostentatious vanity, that silly parade of fancied superiority, which is the too common infirmity of meaner minds. With all this, however, the character of Mr Howell was, in one essential point, defective. It wanted the graces which the religion of Christ can alone impart. He was not a Christian, and he made no pretensions to be one. He was without God and without hope in the world. Not, by any means, that he enter tained sceptical or infidel opinions. For the Divine Being, as the author of those manifold works which he loved to explore, he cherished an habitual theoretic reverence; and with many of the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, he had obtained a familiar speculative acquaintance. But still, he knew not God, as God is made known in the gospel of his Son. There were no real, active, sanctifying religious principles in his heart; and, therefore, there were no manifestations of devoted, loving, holy obedience in his life. To prayer he was a stranger; the sanctuary was forsaken for his laboratory;-and the necessities of his immortal soul-the claims of eternity-were lost sight of in the ardour with which he prosecuted his secular and philosophical pursuits.

The time, however, arrived when this gifted individual was to become the subject of a great and gracious change. While eagerly following his honourable and useful course, his health began to give way-symptoms of pulmonary disease appeared, which induced him to remove to Torquay, that he might enjoy the restorative influence of a milder air. After two months' resi dence at that place, he felt so improved in strength, that he returned to Bath, and, with all his former ardour, resumed his studies and his practice. But the grasp of the spoiler was upon him. The disease had not quitted its victim, and in the course of a few weeks, it appeared in such an aggravated, and certainly incurable form, that, on the advice of his medical friends, Mr Howell hurriedly broke up his establishment, relinquished his profession, and again set out-a wasted and a dying man-for the coast of Devonshire. It was a momentous crisis in his history. The work of grace was about to commence in his soul. As might have been expected, he was greatly agitated and alarmed, when first made aware of the awful fact, that his days were numbered-that his end was near; but he sought consolation, where alone it is to be found, in the religion of Christ. Not all at once, indeed, did he obtain the desired relief. The more he reflected on his own sinfulness, as contrasted with the holiness of God; the keener was the self-dissatisfaction, the more poignant the mental distress which he experienced. While in this truly distressing state, the Rev. Mr Pitcairn, a Scottish clergyman, was requested to visit him; and in these "Letters Memorial," he has preserved a faithful and most instructive record, not only of the many conversations which were held between them, but of the effect which different statements of divine truth had upon Mr Howell's mind, and of the successive steps by which, in passing from darkness he was brought to the light, and joy, the peace and hope of the gospel. These Letters merit, and we are sure they will repay, the most diligent perusal. Mr Pitcairn has done good service to the cause of Christ, in giving them to the world. His intercourse with Mr Howell must have been a source of happiness to himself, for "he who converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."

The Church in the Navy and Army. W. Innes, Edinburgh.

THIS continuation of a similar work, formerly published by Mr Innes, is to the full as interesting as its predecessor. The following will strike our readers as something new :

"HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON THE INSTRUMENT OF THE CONVERSION OF

AN INFIDEL.

In the early part of his Grace's singularly successful career, when as Sir Arthur Wellesley, in India, an officer dining at the mess where he presided was sporting his infidel sentiments. Sir Arthur wishing to put down such conversation, said Sdid you ever read Paley's Evidences? The reply was in the negative. Well, then, said Sir Arthur, you had better read that book before you talk in the way you are doing. The occurrence passed away, and the conversation was soon forgotten; but the reference to Paley's work led Colonel S. to inquire after it, and having obtained a copy, he read it with the most serious attention. He rose from the perusal of it with the fullest conviction of the falsehood of the system he had formerly adopted, and of the divine origin of Christianity. But he did not stop here, he was determined to examine the book itself, which he was thus satisfied was a revelation from God. The result was, that he cordially received this revelation of mercy, saw and felt his need of a Saviour, and, believing in Jesus, became a Christian, not in name only, but in deed and in truth. Colonel S. feeling his obligation to Sir Arthur, afterwards wrote to him, thanking him for his kindness, in recommending to him Dr Paley's valuable work; and earnestly advising him not to be satisfied with merely knowing the external evidence of Christianity, but to inquire what this divine communication really contains. We did not however hear of any reply being made to this communication."

A Sermon: Preached in St Andrew's Free Church, Edinburgh, November 24, 1844; being the Sabbath succeeding the funeral of John Abercrombie, M.D., Oxon. and Edinburgh. By the Rev. John Bruce, A.M. Edinburgh: John Johnstone.

In this discourse, which is founded on James iv. 14, "Ye know not what shall be on the morrow," &c., Mr Bruce illustrates the following observations:-" I. It is undeniably true, as we have oft and earnestly explained, that while thus we are going on contented and undisturbed, we are not really believing the most peculiar sayings of Jesus Christ; and that till we believe the most peculiar of them all, we may be turned from the world occasionally, but disappointments, and even deaths recurring, however oft, or however alarmingly, will never turn us to God. II. Observe how it aggravates both the folly and the guilt of this deep ingratitude, that the earthly interests which so absorb you are so sure to be unsatisfying, and so soon to be laid aside. III. The guilt of nature's ungodliness is most egregiously heightened by the many warnings received and either rejected or forgotten."-As a tribute to the character of Dr Abercrombie, this sermon does eredit to the author, as the pastor and friend of the eminent person whose death it records; the reflections on human life are deeply serious, and fitted to make a useful impression; as a specimen, however, of pulpit instruction, it is deficient in weight of matter, and faulty in the mannerism of its style.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

FOREIGN.

SURVEY OF MISSIONS.-GUYANA.-In the Dutch colony of Surinam, there are upwards of 50,000 negroes; and Jews also are numerous in the country. The United Brethren have, for upwards of sixty years, had a mission established there, which now embraces four stations, at which they have eighteen labourers, and more than 9000 under instruction. The later communications from their missionaries, speak of an awakening to religious

NO. I. VOL. II.

E

inquiry among the heathenish free negroes in the neighbourhood of some of their stations, which had led many of them to attend the meetings regularly, and to take an interest in the instructions of the Sabbath-schools, where they had an opportunity of learning to read the word of God. In British Guyana, the London Missionary Society has thirteen missionaries, besides teachers and assistants. The work of God appears to be advancing stedfastly in all their stations. The places of worship are too small for those who are anxious to attend, and crowded congregations listen to the word of life with lively interest and fixed attention. "Among the young people," says one of their missionaries, "I think there is a great work of grace in progress. After a sermon preached to my juvenile hearers on a Sabbath evening, not less than sixteen of them, varying in age from twelve to seventeen, came during the following week to converse with me personally about their souls. They all declared that they had given themselves to God, and now felt anxious to give themselves to his people, according to his will." The christian liberality of the negro churches, now that the members enjoy freedom, is every year awakening more astonishment and admiration. The Wesleyan Missionary Society has four stations.

WEST INDIES.—In Trinidad, having a population of upwards of 43,000, among whom are more than 20,000 emancipated negroes, the United Secession Church has two stations, one of which their missionary has, from ill health, been compelled to relinquish; but pious friends connected with it continue to promote the Sabbath-schools, and the general interests of the mission, until another missionary shall be found to occupy his place. The Baptist Missionary Society has also one missionary in the island. In Tobago, the Moravians have two missionaries, under whom the education of the young negroes in the knowledge of Christ is making encouraging progress; and they are not without hope in the other departments of their labours. In Barbadoes, the same society has four stations, where both their schools and congregations are increasing, and their people contributing liberally to the expenses of the mission. In St Vincents, the Wesleyan Missionary Society has five stations, and upwards of 15,000 attendants on public worship Their congregations are large, and their chapels well filled. In Antigua, the same society has nine stations, and nearly 40,000 attendants on public worship. The Moravians have seven stations, in which their labours embrace upwards of 10,000 of the population. The missionaries speak of their patience being much tried by the ignorance and stupidity of some of their people; and state that there is much frequently occurring to damp their spirits, as well as to impede the of their labours. At one station, they have had to give up the evening school for young men and boys, owing to the negligent attendance of the pupils, when the charm of novelty had ceased to attract. The boys' Sunday-school also is sadly neglected. Yet, though they must mournfully admit many grievous defects among their people, they have encouragement in others of them, in whom it is evident that the spirit of God carries on his work. The Wesleyan missionaries occupy other neighbouring islands, which are embraced in the district of Antigua. In St Kitts, the Moravians have three stations, and upwards of 4000 under religious instruction. In the Danish islands of St Thomas, St Croix, and St Jan, they have nine stations, in which their labours embrace upwards of 10,000, young and old. Here also they complained of bitter trial in many of their people, whom they had to place in the list of excluded, but on some of whom the necessary discipline appeared to have a salutary influence. In the Danish islands, the Moravians have been severely afflicted with sickness and death. In Hayti, the Baptist Missionary Society has stationed a missionary. The Wesleyan Missionary Society occupy five stations, and have 2500 attendants on public worship. The congregations of the latter are

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