purchasing. But the true solution, both of the activity of the church and the quiescence of the grievance societies,' will be found in the real character of that great question which has been brought forward. The 'Voluntary Principle' throws the points called 'practical grievances' into the shade, and neither committees nor constituents can move the world by them. The bare mention, rather than agitation, of that principle has roused the church from the snore of ages, and blackened the brows of cabinet ministers with rebuffs in perpetuity. The hierarchy knows, and trembles while it knows, that the Bible is more than equal to an act of parliament. A church of Christ resting upon an act of parliament may not be allowed to rest there-it must not be allowed to rest there. The whole hierarchy, we repeat, recoils at the first touch of this controversy, which is scarcely opened yet. Believers in the voluntary principle must avail themselves of all constitutional means in order to its full recognition, and the total abandonment of the compulsory principle, by the civil power. Let them boldly, truthfully, charitably, and systematically, on all occasions, in all places, at all times, proclaim the voluntary principle. At parish meetings, vestry meetings, election meetings at special meetings and general meetings-in the House of Commons and out of it-at their chapels and gatherings in their pulpits, periodicals, and newspapers,-let them proclaim this Principle. The whole people are anxious to hear them. Let them speak, and preach, therefore, largely, intensely, and affectionately upon this theme, with the special view of diffusing information and deepening conviction. So long as they wrangle and quibble about the little, they forget the great; and the hard-hearted politician, surrounded by bishops, only laughs. One practical suggestion, with a view to this great end, we may make; and that is, the formation of clubs of electors, exclusively, in each constituency throughout the united kingdom, for the promotion of the voluntary principle. Here is work enough for Protestant Dissenters; and if they do it well, their labours in the political field might be excused. But they will carry forward this great work much better, far more easily, vastly more effectually, if they zealously and heartily assist their fellow-countrymen-tens of thousands of whom are Protestant Dissenters too-in conquering back from the aristocracy their enfranchisement. Let not the friends of religious freedom forget the cause of political freedom. They are identical-they are one. Were this high matter of the royalty of Christ in his church to be left to the free discussion and decision of the people, the issue would be safe and happy. Whether it will be so left God VOL. IX. I alone knows, and He only will determine. We know who they were that watched the Saviour's sepulchre to keep him from rising; we know who set them there, and we know with what success. Whether the cause of His Church's deliverance from the charnel of the state will be so used and so served, by those who can combine the same means now, as were employed then, to suppress its joyous resurrection in these realms, can scarcely be doubted. But our duty is plain-let every one lend a hand or lift up a prayer, to 'roll away the stone.' Brief Notices. 1. Deutsche Orthoepie. A Practical Guide to the attainment of a Correct Pronunciation of the German Language. By Wilhelm KlauerKlattowsky, of Schwerin in Mecklenburgh, late Professor of German in the Nobile Academia Ecclesiastica in Rome, &c., &c. Third edition, entirely revised and improved. Price 4s. London. 1840. 2. Deutsches Handbuch. The German Manual for Self-Tuition. By the Same. Third edition, entirely revised and improved. Part I. Price 2s. London: 1840. 3. Praktisches Handbuch. A Course of Exercises, Progressive and Entertaining, for learning to Write and to Speak correctly the German Language. By the same. Second edition, enlarged and improved. Part I. Price 2s. London: 1840. The titles above transcribed sufficiently explain the objects of the works to which they are respectively prefixed. The first of them is complete in a small and elegant volume of 114 pages, and is well adapted to its design. The instructions are full, and as clear as it is possible to render them without oral exemplification. We were particularly pleased with the portion of the work relative to accent, which is treated under the heads of prosodical accent,' the accent of foreign words,' the accent of compounds,' the accent of multi-compounds,' and the pathetic accent.' The appendix also, containing thirty-four specimens of the principal German dialects,' will yield considerable interest to such persons as are devoted to linguistic studies. The two other works are still, we suppose, in course of publication. Each is to be comprised in two volumes, 12mo. Part I. of No. 2, i. e., of the Manual for Self-Tuition,' contains an introduction of xxxii. pages, forty-eight pages of reading exercises, and seventy-two pages of analysis on the interlinear plan. The corresponding portion of No. 3, the Course of Exercises for learning to Write and Speak German,' contains also an introduction to the work (xl. pages), followed by forty-eight pages (which constitute, however, but a part) of Haroon and Zobeideh, a tale of the ninth century,' to which succeeds fortyeight pages of an English-German dictionary and glossary of phrases, designed to aid translation into German. The principles and plan of both works appear to be good as far as they are exemplified in the parts before us. We have looked through the German extracts, both prose and verse, in No. 2, and find them for the most part beautiful in themselves, and adapted to the object of the selection. If completed as they are begun, both works would justify a strong recommendation. Memoirs of the Court of England during the reign of the Stuarts, including the Protectorate. By John Heneage Jesse. Vols. III. and IV. London: Bentley. The former volumes of this work were noticed in our journal for March last, and we are sorry to report that the blemishes by which they were disfigured are equally conspicuous in those now before us. Mr. Jesse has prosecuted his undertaking in the spirit of a royalist pamphleteer, and his work is consequently to a great extent valueless and uninteresting. A large portion of the anecdotes recorded are utterly trifling; many of them are confessedly apocryphal, and the few of any value which remain are too well known to be worth purchasing at the price of these volumes. The Holy War made by Shaddai upon Diabolus, for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World; or, The losing and taking again of the town of Mansoul. By John Bunyan. London: Religious Tract Society. A neat edition of a work which, though overshaded by the superior glory of the Pilgrim's Progress, is every way worthy of the genius and piety of Bunyan. Second On the Relation between the Holy Scriptures and some parts of Geological Having already expressed our high estimate of this work, we need do nothing more at present than point out the nature of the alterations which the author has made in this neat and cheap edition. This will be best learned from the following extract from Dr. Smith's brief advertisement. The author has felt himself bound to review every part of the book with close attention. In respect of the sentiments, he has not found reason to change anything; but he has endeavoured, in many places, to remove obscurity or difficulty, by alteration of words, insertion of clauses, or addition of sentences. He has also introduced, in the supplementary notes, dissertations upon topics of great importance, and which have a close connexion with the general subject.' *New Series, Vol. VII. Art. V. The Church Member's Monitor, &c. By Charles Moase. Royston: A. Smith, London: Ball. 1840. Stern Dissenters as we are, we are not quite sure that this admirable little work would not have been more effective had it assumed less of a polemical form at its outset. In the first three or four sections the author shows the nature of a Christian church; and, though the subject is treated with gentleness, we cannot help wishing that all topics of an agitating nature had been avoided, so that the reader might have been led, with undisturbed tranquillity, into the delightful and edifying matters of the volume. We admit, however, that the importance of the subject is great, and we are not confident in our own judgment. The author may have acted as wisely as we have no doubt he has done conscientiously. The Church Member's Monitor' is one of the most valuable manuals we have seen; and is admirably adapted to the use, not only of young Christians, but Christians of every age. It is just the work which is wanted for distribution in our churches: small in compass yet abundant in matter; pungent, energetic, and exciting; yet pervaded by the mild and holy spirit of the gospel. Those pastors who ardently desire the increase of piety in their flocks will find it an efficient aid, and will do well to circulate it extensively. An Historical and Descriptive Account of Iceland, Greenland, and the Feroe Islands, with Illustrations of their Natural History. (Edinburgh Cabinet Library, Vol. 28.) Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. A volume of considerable merit, comprising a large mass of information respecting a region of the globe but little known to British readers. The Illustrated Commentary on the Old and New Testaments. Chiefly explanatory of the Manners and Customs mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, and also of the History, Geography, Natural History, and Antiquities; being a republication of the Notes of the Pictorial Bible; of a size which will range with the authorized Editions of the Sacred Text. With many hundred Woodcuts from the best and most authentie sources. Vols. II. and III. Joshua-Solomon's Song. London: Charles Knight and Co. We have already noticed the first volume of this work, and are glad to find by the rapid appearance of the present volumes that the publication is likely to be speedily completed. We cannot too strongly recommend the work to the attentive examination of our readers. To all classes, but especially to intelligent young men, it will prove an invaluable companion. The Classical English Vocabulary, containing a Selection of Words commonly used by the best Writers, with their Pronunciation and Deriva tions, Terms of Science, &c., &c. By Ingram Cobbin, A.M. Second Edition. London: Simpkin and Marshall. For pupils who do not learn Latin this will be a useful book, and will be advantageously adopted, especially in ladies' schools. The meanings are fully given, and the derivations are generally pretty correct. A Peep at Grammar, for Children, with Questions and Exercises. By a Private Teacher. London: Darton and Clarke. We do not like the peeping system in teaching, especially in teaching grammar. Still it cannot be denied that the purchaser if he masters the contents of this little book, will have no reason to complain of his sixpenny peep. The French School, comprising the Echo de Paris, Gift of Fluency in French Conversation, &c. By M. Lepage. London: Effingham Wilson. This the third part of a book we have noticed before. It differs in no material point from a score other elementary grammars which might be named. A Collection for Junior Classes, consisting of Moral and Religious Pieces, in Prose and Verse, Selections from Natural History, &c., &c. By Andrew Veitch. Berwick: Thomas Melrose. This is a respectable collection of coland poetry. We say prose lection; the pieces are hardly select enough to admit of its being called a selection. But it is a very cheap book, and will no doubt be much used in schools. It is the kind of work which is very much wanted. But we do not like to see such names as Belfrage, Chapone, Grahame, and some others, so frequently in a model-book for children. It is quite a mistake to suppose that what are called easy and simple (that is, inferior and badly written) pieces are best or even most intelligible for children. The Congregational Calendar and Family Almanac, 1841. London: Jackson and Walford. The A cheap and useful publication, which has been prepared with great care, and contains a large mass of interesting information. astronomical portions have been supplied by a gentleman long connected with the Royal Observatory at Greenwich; and the latest and best authorities have been consulted to perfect the historical, statistical, and miscellaneous intelligence.' |