sponded "Amen." A surgeon was instantly fetched, who bled him and administered other remedies; but the unhappy man appeared nearly frantic. He was soon after removed home, and since then to the General Hospital, where he has received the unremitting attention of the first medical practitioners in the town. We understand that he has since been enabled to see a little, and that hopes are entertained that his sight will be ultimately restored to him.

SINFUL MIRTH EXCHANGED FOR SOLID PEACE.

THE ministry of Mr. Rowland Hill was very useful to some of the Gloucestershire farmers. These persons were remarkable examples of the power of religion on previously ill-cultivated minds. The frost of selfishness, by which all the softer faculties of their souls had formerly been congealed, dissolved under the melting influences of the love of God, and the simple graces of true piety flowed forth in streams of active benevolence. One individual was, in his youth, an attendant upon every scene of rural dissipation within his reach; a fighter, a horse-racer, a midnight rioter in fairs and revels. Grace changed his heart and his life, so that he became a true and zealous servant of the Lord Jesus Christ; peaceful, diligent, industrious, generous. He frequently described the happiness he enjoyed in the service of God, contrasting it with his stings of conscience when he lived in sin. "When I used to go," he said, "to all kinds of fairs, and revels, and horse-races, I was never happy. As I was coming home through the woods at night, the rustling of a leaf would frighten me; terrified by I knew not what, fleeing when no man pursued, I galloped home as fast as my horse could carry me. Now, if I go to visit a poor dying man, or if I have been enjoying the word of life, I come home in a calm and peaceful frame of mind. I find that the Lord is present with me; and, as I walk my horse gently along, I look up and see the bright stars above my head, and am happy in the assurance that the God who made them all is mine in Christ. Oh! what a mercy ! The loneliness of the wood, the rustling of the leaves, the stillness of the night, no longer alarm. I am, I trust, reconciled to God, and at peace with him and my own conscience through the death of his Son. He that fills the heavens with his glory, and the earth with his mercies, condescends to dwell in, and to comfort my poor sinful heart." This pious farmer had naturally a fervent spirit; he knew the state of mind, and inquired into the temporal wants, of every poor man in his employ; and the Lord was with him.

THE SINNER AWAKENED.

I was furnished by the Religious Tract Society, says a minister, with a goodly number of their excellent tracts and hand-bills. One Sabbathday, while distributing some tracts and hand-bills, I offered one to a respectably dressed female, apparently about twenty-five years of age,

who said she should be glad to speak a few words to me after I had ceased officiating. She informed me that two or three Sundays ago, I gave her sister, when in the burial-ground, a paper, entitled "A WONDER IN THREE WORLDS." "This sister," said she, "brought it home to me. As I read that part which says 'You are a wonder in hell!' it came home to my mind with such force and power, that it convinced me I was in a wretched state. I saw that I must go to that dreadful place unless my sins were pardoned. I was a wonder to myself that I had lived so long unconcerned about my soul. I came to the burial-ground on the following Sunday, as I heard you spoke over some of the graves, in hopes to hear how my sins were to be pardoned. I heard you speak of the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I thought this was what I wanted; I see without him I am lost. Oh! sir," added she, with tears in her eyes, "if I had but five minutes' assurance of my interest in Christ, I would give all the world; the want of this makes me miserable. I am afraid to go to bed at night, for fear I should wake in hell! I pray, and pray, but I get no answer. I have been brought up under the gospel ministry from my infancy, and I once thought I was all right, but now I find it was only cradle religion." She said, likewise, that those with whom she had, till lately, associated as her companions, now treated her with contempt, because she could not now engage with them in their worldly pleasures. "But," said she, indeed, why should I regard the company of those whose ways lead to hell? I love the Lord's people."

She was evidently in great soul distress, for her eyes were deluged with tears. "Oh!" said she, "I never saw what an awful state I was in till I read this paper, although I have heard many sermons: I am sure the Lord sent that paper to me."

Her most anxious wish was that she might know if the Lord would receive such a sinner as herself. I told her that the Saviour had left it on record, "Whosoever will, let him come;" and that this "whosoever" was her character and mine, and therefore we were welcome. "Oh!" said she, "that's comforting! that's a support!"

THE SNARE BROKEN.

I was weary of life (says the narrator, an Italian nobleman), and, after a day such as few know, or have known, and none would wish to remember, was hurrying along the street to the river, when I felt a sudden check. I turned and beheld a little boy, who had caught the skirt of my cloak in his anxiety to solicit my notice. His look and manners were irresistible; nor less so was the lesson he had learnt. "There are six of us, and we are dying for want of food." "Why should I not," said I to myself, "relieve this wretched family? I have the means, and it will not delay me many minutes. But what if it does ?" The scene of misery he conducted me to cannot be described. I threw them my purse, and their burst of gratitude overcame me. It filled my eyes-it went as a cordial to my heart. I will call again to-morrow," I cried. Fool, that I was, to think of leaving a world where such pleasure was to be had, and so cheap."-Rogers's Italy.

CARELESS WORDS.

BEWARE, beware of carelesss words,
They have a fearful power,
And jar upon the spirit's chords,
Through many a weary hour.

Though not design'd to give us pain,
Though but at random spoken,-
Remembrance brings them back again,-
The past's most bitter token.

They haunt us through the toilsome day,
And through the lonely night,

And rise to cloud the spirit's ray,

When all beside is bright.

Though from the mind, and with the breath,
Which gave them, they have flown,
Yet wormwood, gall, and even death,
May dwell in every tone.

And burning tears can well attest
A sentence lightly fram'd,

May linger, cankering, in the breast,
At which it first was aim'd.

Oh! could my prayer indeed be heard-
Might I the past live o'er-

I'd guard against a careless word,
E'en though I spoke no more.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

DELINEATION OF ROMAN CATHOLICISM, drawn from the Authentic and Acknowledged Standards of the Church of Rome : namely, her Creeds, Catechisms, Decisions of Councils, Papal Bulls, Roman Catholic Writers, the Records of History, &c.: in which the peculiar Doctrines, Morals, Government, and Usages of the Church of Rome, are stated, treated at large, and confuted. By the REV. CHARLES ELLIOTT, D.D. A NEW EDITION, corrected and revised throughout, with numerous important Additions. By the REV. JOHN S. STAMP. London: Published by John Mason, at the Wesleyan Conference Office, 14, City Road. Imperial 8vo. Cloth boards, pp. 822, double columns.

Whilst the Papists are putting forth their utmost strength, and offering up many prayers for the conversion of England, it is truly gratifying to witness the efforts that are being made by those champions of Protestantism, who endeavour to impress the public mind with correct views of the genuine characteristics of Popery, and to exhibit their irreconcileable hostility to pure evangelical truth. If Popery were Christianity, its extension would excite no alarm, and its dominion would inflict no evil. But Popery is not Christianity; it assumes the name without even wearing the garb; yea, it pretends to be the only form in which Christianity can exist, whilst it discards the first principles and utterly renounces the spirit of the Christian system. Christianity gives activity and freedom to the human intellect-Popery enslaves it. Christianity requires a mode of worship which shall be distinguished for simplicity and spirituality -Popery delights in mystified and pompous ceremonials. Popery is, in short, a compound of tyranny, infidelity, idolatry, and licentiousness. These are its essential elements. They are faithfully exhibited in the splendid work before us. It enters into the depths of the Popish system; so far, at least, as those depths can be ascertained from the statements of Popish writers and Popish authorities. Every feature of the Mother of Harlots is distinctly delineated. Doctrines, ceremonies, discipline, are all fully

brought out, and are shown to be as directly at variance with the Scriptures, as they are with the dictates of common sense.

The work which we would now press upon the attention of our readers is, to a great extent, a reprint of an American publication. The author, Dr. Elliott, was occupied many years in its preparation, and the result displays extensive learning, great talents, and most laborious and thorough research. We might suppose that the mantle of Dr. Elliott had been wafted across the Atlantic, and had come into the possession of the able and indefatigable Editor. Mr. Stamp has entered fully into the design and spirit of the author; the materials he has brought together are as abundant as they are valuable, and the manifold improvements and additions which the work has received under his hands, sufficiently evince that his labours have been immense.

The volume is divided into four books, and these are subdivided into forty-one chapters, which severally develop the views and errors of the Romanists on the following questions:-Standards of Roman Catholic Faith-Scripture-Tradition-Infallibility The Ancient Fathers-Baptism-Confirmation-Transubstantiation-Sacrifice of the Mass-Half-Communion-Worship of the Host-Penance-Absolution-Confession-Contrition and Attrition-Satisfaction-Purgatory-Indulgencies-Extreme Unction-Orders-Matrimony-The Church-General Councils-Supremacy of the Pope-Celibacy-Worship of Saints. On these and other kindred topics there is a thoroughness of investigation and an amplitude of evidence well calculated to furnish the mind of the Theological Student, and to terminate the doubts of the anxious inquirer after truth. The statements advanced are such as the Romanists themselves can neither gainsay nor resist-they are made to speak for themselves, in the language of their own acknowledged and standard authorities; whilst the poison contained in the numerous extracts from Popish writers has its antidote in the powerful and conclusive arguments by which the sophisms of those writers are most successfully overthrown.

The work is indeed the most complete of its kind of any with which we are acquainted, and will, we doubt not, become a standard work of reference on the subject. We wish it could be in every family, and it ought to be in the library of every minister.

ENGLAND IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY; or, a History of the Reigns of the House of Stuart. London: Tract Society. 18mo. cloth boards, pp. 456.

The portion of English History presented in this volume is invested with a deep and surpassing interest; the work is also admirably suited to young people, for the fidelity of its statements and for its frequent recognition and enforcement of the great principles of Christianity. The morality of the Bible is brought to bear on the conduct of statesmen and on the destiny of nations, and thus sound instruction is blended with useful and important information.

SKETCHES OF SERMONS ON CHRISTIAN MISSIONS. Original and Selected. By the Author of the " Pulpit Cyclopædia." London: Aylott and Jones. 8vo. cloth boards, pp. 360.

THE INCARNATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, as recorded in the Gospel Narratives of St. Matthew and St. Luke, &c.. Defended and Established. By WILLIAM COOKE. London. 12mo. stitched, pp. 24.

A doctrine of supreme importance is here most thoroughly investigated, and most clearly unfolded. The general reader will find in this invaluable tract many arguments and much information, not easily accessible. Our only wish is that it may be circulated and read as extensively as it deserves; it is calculated to disarm sophistry of its power, and to invest truth with its rightful sovereignty.

ADDRESSES TO CHRISTIAN PROFESSORS. By R. WALLER. No. 7. Praying in the Holy Ghost. London: J. Bakewell. Stitched, 12mo. pp. 12.

A very instructive and useful tract; showing, in clear and impressive language, what it is to pray in the Holy Ghost.

THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN THE CONVERSION OF THE WORLD; a Sermon preached in the Tabernacle, Moorfields, before the Directors of the London Missionary Society, May 14th, 1845. By the Rev. THOMAS ARCHER, D.D. London: J. Snow. 18mo. stiff cover, pp. 36.

Gems are often diminutive; this book is small in its dimensions, but it is a gem; it is full of the fire and power of eloquence; it enforces the most solemn and soul-stirring truths, and the perusal of it will expand and invigorate the intellect; it will do moreit will, if read in a proper frame of mind, warm the heart with an intensity of zeal for the conversion of a ruined world.

THE CHURCH; or, a Dream of the Past and the Future: A POEM for the Times. By CLERICUS, M.C.C.S. With an Address to the Clergy of the Established Church on her Present Position and Future Prospects, and the Duty devolving upon them in the present important Controversy. London: J. Strange. 8vo. stitched, pp. 56.

This is the production either of some poor frenzied maniac who needs our compassion, or of some hypocritical bigot who would, if he possessed the power, eagerly make himself drunk with the blood of the saints.

COBBIN'S CHILD'S COMMENTATOR ON THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. Parts 11, 12, and 13. London: Ward and Co.

REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PROTESTANT DISSENTERS' ANTI-MAYNOOTH CONFERENCE, held at Crosby Hall, London, May 20th and 21st, 1845, with a correct List of Delegates and Ministers.

THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. By M. MERLE D'AUBIGNE, Author of the "History of the Reformation." Translated from the French by John Middleton Hare.

MINUTES OF THE FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BRITISH ANTI-STATE-CHURCH ASSOCIATION, held at the Guildhall Coffee House, in the city of London, on Tuesday, May 6th, 1845.

These are publications of the British Anti-State-Church Association, and ought to be universally circulated and read.

PROTESTANT CHRISTIANITY CONTRASTED WITH ROMANISM. A Lecture. By the Rev. W. B. SPRAGUE, D.D. London: J. Dennis. 12mo. stitched, pp. 63.

A condensed view of the errors and evils of Popery; a very cheap but a very excellent tract; in composition elegant, in argument most conclusive, and in its sentiments and tendency invaluable.

THE SICK VISITOR'S COMPANION; consisting of Selections from the Sacred Scriptures, Short Addresses and Prayers, suited to the Sick of different Characters, and designed as a Help to Christians who visit the Sick for Religious Purposes. By JOHN CORBIN. London: John Snow. 12mo. cloth boards, pp. 66.

THE EGYPTIAN. By the Author of "The Jew." London: Tract Society. Square. stiff covers, pp. 154.

A very interesting book, about a singular and interesting people.

THE IMPORTANT INQUIRY; or, HOW WILL IT END? or, the Contrast between Real and Nominal Christians, attempted in Verse. By AN AGED PILGRIM. With Introductory Observations on the Author's sentiments on the state of true Piety in the religious World; also, an Appendix, comprising various Pieces in Prose and Verse. London: Aylott

and Jones.

OBITUARY.

MR. JOHN LAWTON WAS born in the year 1780, at Carr, in Micklehurst, and died April 20th, 1845, at Lees, in the Mossley Circuit. I am not furnished with the particulars of his parentage, nor of his early training, but have reason to believe he was early instructed to fear God and keep his commandments. From childhood he abhorred lying and feared an oath, and was never known or heard to utter one, and when

e became a man and to the end of his days, was never intoxicated with liquor; so that his morality, as far as human observation goes, was exemplary. For thirty years he has been decidedly pious, although the

means and agencies by which this was effected are not known. As no special record can be found as to time or place, we must be content with the evidences which a holy life and uniformly consistent example supply; and such proofs are numerous and lucid, for in no place nor at any subsequent period has he ever been ashamed of Christ and his people. Having tasted and enjoyed the experience of God's pardoning mercy, and having found the pearl of great price for himself, it was his prayer that others might obtain the invaluable treasure. He was, in all companies, and at every convenient opportunity, pressingly urgent with his neighbours and