The Siege of Lichfield; a Tale illustrative of the Great Rebellion. "Faith, and of devotion true, Well-judging, and sincere;" and a right able labourer in the cause is he. The "Siege of Lichfield" is better either than "Clement Walton" or the "English Churchman," so far as the narrative is concerned; while the principles it maintains are as sound. The excellent author constructs his plots upon the simplest possible model; but the dialogue is good, the descriptions picturesque, and there is an air of verisimilitude running through the whole. The Churchman's Brief Manual of Baptism, in Four Parts. By the Rev. CHARLES E. KENNAWAY, A.M., formerly Fellow of St. John's College, Incumbent of Christ Church, Cheltenham, and Vicar of Campden. London: Nisbet. 1840. In this seasonable work Mr. Kennaway speaks first of the mode in which, and secondly of the time at which, Baptism should be administered: he speaks, thirdly, of the effects of Baptism; and lastly, treats most satisfactorily upon Baptismal regeneration. That Baptism secures to the recipient a forgiveness of sins, is asserted by our Church-but what forgiveness? We reply, the forgiveness of original sin. Such is the view taken by Mr. Kennaway. He speaks too, not only to the reason, but also to the prejudices of men; for he quotes the venerable Simeon, to show those who ignorantly call themselves his followers, and "evangelicals," how orthodox upon this important point was that excellent man. 1. Universal Redemption Considered. By the Author of "Parental Responsibility." London: Ball and Arnold. 1840. 2. A Letter to the Author of " Universal Redemption Considered." By A CLERGYMAN of the Diocese of Cloyne. London: Ball and Arnold. 1840. THE subject of Universal Redemption is one upon which we think the teaching of the Church is plain enough, nor does it require any new ones to be added to the many scores of volumes already written on the subject. To those however who prefer new books to old ones, which is very far from being our case, we can say that both these works are written in a gentle and Christian spirit. The Mineralogy and Botany of the Bible. By E. C. ROSENMULLER, D.D. Translated from the German by T. G. Repp, and the Rev. N. Morren. Edinburgh: Clarke. 1840. ONE of the most important and interesting works of modern times is Dr. Rosenmüller's Natural History of the Bible. The learning which he has brought to bear upon his favourite study is immense; and he has done what few men so ponderously learned have done before him, has made his great work both intelligible and acceptable to the general reader. The volume before us, though part of a series, is complete in itself; and embraces two sections of that great work of Dr. Rosenmüller, "Biblical Natural History." The translation is well executed; and we hope to see the whole of the learned German's labours given to us in the same form, and with the same success. We know of few more valuable accessions to the student's library than this would be. The Reasons of a Romanist considered. A Letter to the Hon. and Rev. George Spencer, &c. &c. &c: By the Rev. G. B. SANDFORD, M.A., of Brazennose College, Oxford. Oxford: Parker. 1840. MR. Spencer's Reasons for his conversion are handled in a very gentle and temperate manner by Mr. Sandford, and are shown to weigh very little. The curate of Prestwich has his subject thoroughly "at his fingers' ends," and the perverted Honourable and Reverend makes a very poor figure in his hands. A Dissertation on the Discourse delivered by our Blessed Saviour in Answer to the Questions of his Apostles, touching the Destruction of the Temple and the End of the World. By the Rev. JOHN STONARD, D.D., Rector of Aldingham, Lancashire. London: Rivingtons. 1840. A VERY able and interesting dissertation on a very little investigated part of God's word. It takes up the character of our Lord as a prophet, and enlarges upon the meaning of that awful and momentous prophecy which he was pleased to deliver to his disciples. Religion in connexion with a National System of Instruction; their Union advocated; the Arguments of the Non-religionists considered; and a System proposed. By W. M. GUNN, Rector of Burgh Schools, Haddington. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. 1840. MR. Gunn's volume is one that deserves and will receive much attention. His experience entitles him to speak; and though he is wandering far out of the way when he comes to talk about what he calls "sects," still his book is calculated to arouse the attention of the "liberal." Parliamentary Speeches. Session 1840. London: Painter. AMONG the most successful expedients for spreading and advancing Conservative principles we may reckon Mr. Painter's "Speeches." They make a very handsome volume, and acquire a very official appearance from the royal arms stamped on the cover; but what we have to say concerns rather the inside of the book than the outside-as Antony Lumpkin, Esq. observed of a letter, that "the inside was usually the cream of the correspondence." Surely the opinions expressed in the eloquent language of a Graham, a Stanley, a Peel, an Inglis, a Herries, a Goulburn-together with a report of questions which made even Hume and Leader Conservatives the speeches of the Bishops of London, Exeter, Lincoln, Salisbury, Gloucester, Rochester and Winchester, and the Archbishop of Canterbury -all these, and such are the contents of the present volume, must make a record of practical wisdom worthy to descend to posterity. We confess we look forward with hope to having a better character in the days of our grand-children than we shall have any title to. They will refer to the Conservative speeches as specimens of the House of Commons in 1840; while the trash uttered by Radicals, and Whig-radicals, and Revolutionists, by Papists, and Dissenters, and Infidels, will have passed through every species of decomposition. These speeches, which were printed so that they might be sent through the post, are now collected together, and for eight shillings the reader may possess himself of the "collected wisdom" of a session. The introduction is one of the ablest pieces of political writing we have ever read. It prepares the mind to meet with successive instances of Whig folly and Conservative triumph; and exposes, in a most masterly way, the hollow pretensions of those who, first to obtain place, and then to secure it, sacrificed their own character as English gentlemen, and the welfare of the English nation. The people are at length tired; Radical misrule cannot hold out much longer; and when the curtain shall drop upon the most disgusting farce the political world has ever beheld, then may Mr. Painter take credit to himself, for having, by this spirited undertaking-" The Conservative Speeches," hastened the much to be wished for catastrophe. Practical Piety; or the Influence of the Religion of the Heart on the Conduct of the Life. By HANNAH MORE. London: Cadell. 1840. A VERY neat edition of a very useful book; quite a favourable specimen of the manner in which books of the kind are now sent forth to the public. Of course it would be idle to criticise Hannah More's "Practical Piety." Christian Morals. By the Rev. WILLIAM SEWELL, M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Exeter College, and Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Oxford. London: Burns. 1840. ON a work so important as this we would willingly say much; but our limits, as they will prevent us from doing justice to Mr. Sewell, will also prevent our attempting any analysis of his treatise. We shall give in his own words, therefore, the propositions he has endeavoured to prove. We do not agree with all that he advances, though we are bound to acknowledge that he advances nothing that he has not well considered. His proposi tions are: "1. That Ethics are the science of education. "2. That books and writing, without oral instructors, are a very imperfect mode of teaching. "3. That external historical testimony of God's revealed will is the only true basis of moral science. "4. That the Catholic Church only has the right or the power to educate. "5. That Ethics and Christianity, though necessarily connected, must yet be kept distinct. "6. That we must avoid rationalism, syncretism, and eclecticism. "7. That in education forms are of the greatest importance. "8. That the sacraments cannot be separated from ethical education. "9. That there is a real personal evil agent to be overcome by those who would be good. "10. That goodness consists in obedience; and the Christian's goodness, in obedience to Christ. "11. That this obedience is a struggle against temptation. "12. That the struggle of a baptized Christian is different from that of a heathen; the former struggling to retain, the latter to attain, a blessing. "13. That our real goodness is the Spirit of God, given at baptism. "14. That that which is good produces unity in plurality. "15. That in us it is the power of resisting temptation. "16. That duties depend on relations, and ultimately on our relations to God. "17. That this relation is a covenant. "18. That we are dealt with as free agents. "19. That the knowledge of God contained in a creed is the first foundation of all goodness. "20. That the will of God is our only law. "21. That our great object should be to confirm and preserve the blessings given us in baptism. "22. That happiness is not pleasure, but prior and superior thereto." Some of these propositions may not be very intelligible as thus enunciated; but when explained by Mr. Sewell we find them, whether we agree with them all or not, to be the result of deep thinking. The True Catholic and Apostolic Faith maintained in the Church of England. By ANDREW SALL, D. D. A new Edition; by the Rev. J. ALLPORT, Minister of St. James, Birmingham. London: Whittaker. 1840. THIS volume is one among the many proofs now abounding, and of which every day is furnishing fresh ones, that, however good our new divinity may be, "the old is better." Dr. Sall, the learned writer whose defence of our Church is here re-published, was born in Ireland, but early removed to the University of Valladolid, from which he afterwards migrated to Tudela, and thence to Salamanca. He became rector of the Irish college in the latter city, and was considered one of the most learned divines in Spain, and one of the most able members of the Jesuit Society. The steps by which he was gradually led to forsake Popery are admirably narrated by himself in this work, as well as the persecutions which he suffered in consequence of this resolution. His opponents in controversy were men well skilled and well read; and it may be affirmed, that he who wishes to ascertain the nature and grounds of the dispute between the Church of England and that of Rome will find them fully and clearly set forth in this one volume. Mr. Allport has our thanks for reprinting so valuable a book, and for the notes with which he has enriched it--notes displaying at once sound learning and sound judgment. We can cordially recommend the work to our readers. A Practical and Doctrinal Exposition of the Church Catechisms chiefly compiled from the Writings of the most approved Divines. By a MEMBER of St. John's College, Cambridge. London: Burns. 1840. THIS is a truly admirable compilation; sound, clear, and eminently practical; by far the best commentary on the Catechism extant; and well adapted for the diocesan training schools. We must, however, correct a rather absurd error (not in divinity) into which the writer has fallen: surname, not sirname, is derived from sur-nomme, super-nomen, and not from sire-name, or father's name. Gospel Extracts for Young Children. London: Rivingtons. 1840. IF any mother thinks it more advisable to teach her children out of a small octavo book, with a blue cloth cover, with a part of the Gospel in the inside, than from a duodecimo book with a brown calf cover, and the whole of the Gospels, together with the rest of the New Testament, contained therein-here is the book prepared to her hands. This is all we can say for this specimen of the modern art of book-making. |