The state of the Irish peasantry, in a moral and religious view, is more painfully depicted by Mr. Croly, in the following affecting statement:"In the country the lower orders make no scruple whatever in combining against law and order, and massacreing, if they can, all those who do not join in their combinations. In their late anti-tithe war, they set no more value on the life of a fellow-creature than on the life of the most worthless brute; and many who suffered the extreme penalty of the law, for murders of the most revolting description, could, with great difficulty, be brought to acknowledge the justice of

their sentence. They considered it no breach of God's commandments to murder a tithe-owner, or a tithe-receiver, or a tithe-collector, or a tithe-valuer, or a titheprocess-server, or even any one that would not assist them in the great and good work of extinguishing tithes altogether." (Page 60.)

What an appalling statement, made by a man whose opportunities, as a Priest, of obtaining correct information cannot be doubted; and whose partialities to Popery must have prevented him from making any statements which might counteract his efforts in seeking for the establishment of that cruel and most iniquitous system!

The attention which Mr. Croly's Essay has hitherto attracted has been chiefly of a political kind; but we have regarded it as our duty to view it as affording the most painful and convincing evidence of the moral and religious condition of Ireland. He avows it as his object to prove the necessity of re-establishing Popery in that unhappy country, by making a legal provision for the Clergy. We shall marvel exceedingly if any Protestant member of the Legislature can be found, who will rise in his place in Parliament, and propose such a monstrous measure for the pacification of Ireland. Should any Minister of the Crown, which, however, we do not suspect, have the hardihood to make such a proposition, be he who he may, he ought to be instantly impeached as a traitor to his country, and an enemy to his King. We are speaking of the question apart from all political considerations. It is a question

of morals and of religion; and that which is morally and religiously wrong can never be politically right. The disclosures which have been made by Mr. Croly confirm us in an opinion which we have long entertained, that nothing but the spread of vital godliness can cure the evils which at this moment afflict that interesting but degraded part of the British empire. The condition of Ireland is an enigma, which worldly politicians are unable to solve. The reality of her wrongs is acknowledged by men of all parties, both in politics and religion. The best and most efficient mode of redress is still a desideratum in political science. Is it not highly probable, that, for purposes which, at the present, finite beings are unable to fathom, the wise and beneficent Governor of the universe judicially permits a state of things to exist in Ireland which is not to be paralleled in the history of any civilized country? There are retributive, as well as permissive, dispensations of Providence. Much righteous blood has been shed in that country. Jehovah himself has evidently a controversy with Ireland. On no other supposition can we ac count for the continued existence of such a numerous body of Priests, who may without any breach of charity, or want of candour, be justly characterized, as a host of spiritual locusts, who, under the mask of religion, are, according to Mr. Croly's own statements, cruel extortioners, and who, either directly encourage, or tacitly connive at, crimes which are as repugnant to the feelings of humanity, as they are to the spirit and precepts of our holy religion. The disclosures of Mr. Croly, though avowedly made for other purposes, ought to rouse from their slumbers all who are Protestants from principle, and prompt them to increased exertions, in order to counteract the pestiferous influence of a system which, in the language of Mr. Hall, must have been fabricated by the "father of lies." We rejoice to know that much has been done, and is still doing, for Ireland, by the circulation of the Scriptures, the distribution of tracts, the formation of

of the writer of "The Wanderer of Switzerland," and of "The World before the Flood." There is one peculiarity in Mr. Montgomery's poetry which we are glad to observe. It appears to acquire a more hallowed tone as he advances in years, and to present those realizing views of eternity, and of the mercies of redemption, which characterize a state of advancing and matured piety. We gladly avail ourselves of this opportunity to recommend to our readers in general, and especially young persons of reading and education, the whole of Mr. Montgomery's poetical works, as admirably fitted to afford the richest mental gratification, to form a correct taste, and to impress upon the mind sentiments the most honourable, pure, and ennobling.

History of Providence as unfolded in the Book of Esther. By Alexander Carson, A. M., Minister of the Gospel, Tubbermore. Second Edition, improved. 24mo. pp. 139. 2s. Simpkin.

The Philosophy of the Evidences of Christianity. By James Steele. 8vo. pp. 298. 7s. 6d. The title-page of-this volume is one of such large promise, that we commenced our task of reading in order to reviewing with expectations perhaps too highly raised for a favourable judgment of any but a work of large performance. The various advocates of revealed religion have well nigh exhausted the subject of the Christian Evidence, copious as it is: and what now is chiefly wanted is the due arrangement of the different parts, the examination of the force (we might almost say, the modus operandi) of each separate portion, and the bearing of the accumulated whole upon the important conclusion. Such a work would well deserve the title of "The Philosophy of the Evidences of Christianity." For its execution a man should be able to think with Butler, and to write with Paley. There should be in it nothing desultory in thought, nothing discursive in fancy, nothing declamatory in style. All should be strong and compact, bearing far more analogy to the steady, powerful march of the old phalanx, than to the rapid, unconnected movements of the modern Cossack. Favourably as we are disposed to speak, on the whole, of Mr. Steele's volume, he has not given us a work like this. The style is declamatory to excess, reminding us of some of the worst parts of that employed by Dr. Chalmers in his sermons; and the conduct of the argument discloses any thing rather than that lucid order which an examination of the philosophy of the Christian evidence required. Had

of

the title been one of less pretension,for instance, had it simply been, "Remarks on the Evidences of Christianity," -our observations would have been very different. We have spoken of what the work professes to be, comparing the promise with the performance. Taking it as it is, we must still regard the style as far too rhetorical; but, viewing it as a collection of argumentative remarks on portions of the Christian evidence, we feel bound in justice to speak favourably of it. The general nature the subjects discussed by Mr. Steele will easily be collected from the "Contents:" The Accountability of Man for his belief-The evidence furnished by Jesus Christ of his Messiahship Media through which the evidence furnished by Jesus Christ of his Messiahship, and the collateral evidences of Christianity, have been transmitted to us-Testimony-The nature of the internal evidences of Christianity - The relation of the evidences of Christianity to Deism and Fanaticism-Christian Faith or Belief. But though the author generally reasons well on the evidences of Christianity, and is evidently sound on its fundamental doctrines, yet some of his remarks on fanaticism and faith show

him to be far from thoroughly acquainted with the subjects connected with what may be called Christian experience. Alarmed by the enthusiasm and even fanaticism of which his own country and countrymen have of late years furnished some examples, he appears to forget that of that inward kingdom of God, which is not meat and drink, joy in the Holy Ghost is declared to be a constituent part. Nor are we satisfied with his account of the faith which is, emphatically, saving. To its spiritual character and immediate connexion with the mighty working of the Spirit of God, Mr. Steele seems not to have adverted. We confess, too, that we were not prepared for the following observation and note:-"We have already noticed the dogma of the Infidel, that it matters not what our faith is, if our life be in the right. Much as this is to be detested, it may be questioned whether it exceeds, in fallaciousness, the liberalism of some Christian Divines, who speak as if orthodoxy were a thing of nought." This is the subjoined note :"The points we chiefly insisted upon were, that orthodoxy, or right opinion, is at best a very slender part of religion, if it can be allowed to be any part of it at all."-WESLEY. Mr. Steele, we suppose, has borrowed his quotation from the Life of Erskine by Sir Henry Moncrieff

Welwood, who, in repeating the charge, forgot that Mr. Wesley had in his own lifetime defended himself against it. "The devils believe there is one God:" but have they any religion? No man was ever more careful about orthodoxy than John Wesley; but he was likewise careful to show, (and where was it more necessary to be shown than in Scotland ?) that men may be very orthodox, and at the same time children of wrath. With all these deductions, which a regard to truth, and indeed justice to our readers, have compelled us to make, we are nevertheless of opinion that Mr. Steele has given us useful volume; one which will well repay the student of the Christian Evidence for the time devoted to a careful and discriminating perusal.

An Exposition of the Parables and of other parts of the Gospels. By Edward Greswell, B. D., Fellow of C. C. C., Oxford. In Five Volumes, 8vo. Vol. IV., pp. 514; Vol. V., Part. I., pp. 580; Fart II., pp. 478. 36s. Rivington.

The Life of Bishop Jewel. By Charles Webb Le Bas, M. A., Professor in the East India College, Herts, and late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. 18mo. pp. 345. 6s. Rivington.-Bishop Jewel is justly considered one of the fathers of the English Church; for, perhaps the labours of no man contributed more directly than his to establish in this country the Reformation, so happily begun by Cranmer and his martyred associates. Jewel was contemporary with them, but took refuge on the Continent while so many of his brethren perished at the stake in the reign of Queen Mary. He was thus mercifully preserved, to defend and promote, under the Protestant sway of Elizabeth, the cause of primitive truth, against the hateful dogmas of Popery, and their subtle advocates. Life of this great man, worthy of his elevated character, has ever yet been written. Till that desideratum shall be supplied, the elegant and interesting volume of Mr. Le Bas will be esteemed and read. It is incomparably superior to every other account of this great Theologian that has yet been published; and will serve to remind the people of a degenerate age, of their obligations to those wise, pious, and learned men, who, by God's blessing, delivered these realms from the Fapal yoke, and introduced that Frotestantism, which brought in its train liberty, science, literature, and pure religion, all that constitutes national greatness.

No

Memoirs of the late Reverend Joseph Hughes, A. M., one of the Secretaries of the British and Foreign Bible Society. By John Leifchild. 8vo. pp. 498. Ward.

The Life, Ministry, and Selections from the Remains, of the Rev. Samuel Walker, B. A., formerly of Truro, Cornwall. By the Rev. Edwin Sidney, A. M., Author of the "Life of the Rev. Rowland Hill." 8vo. pp. 492. Baldwin.

Oaths; their Origin, Nature, and History. By James Endell Tyler, B. D., Rector of St. Giles' in the Fields, and late Fellow of Oriel College. The Second Edition. 8vo. pp. 319. Parker. The subject of this volume possesses superior interest and importance to the Statesman, the Moralist, and the Christian. In treating of it the writer has displayed considerable research, with a sound and discriminating judgment; and he has presented the fruit of his inquiries, and his reasonings upon the facts which he has collected, in a most elegant and inviting form. It is gratifying to find, that, in accordance with Mr. Tyler's enlightened suggestions, measures are now pending before the Legislature, greatly to lessen the number of oaths which have long been taken in the different departments of the state, and the frequency of which unhappily tends to lessen their sanctity in the public estimation.

Christian Theology: by Adam Clarke, LL.D., F.A.S. Selected from his published and unpublished Writings, and systematically arranged. With a Life of the Author. By Samuel Dunn. 12mo.

pp. 493. 6s. 6d. Tegg. There are

many persons to whom the memory of the late Dr. Clarke is justly dear, who can never purchase his voluminous and valued writings, however they might be benefited by the perusal. By such persons a volume like that which Mr. Dunn has produced must be highly prized. There are passages in the Doctor's Commentary upon the holy Scriptures, and in his Sermons, which may be justly classed among the choicest productions of modern theology; and it is extremely desirable that they should be placed within the reach of Christians in general. Under these circumstances we think Mr. Dunn has rendered a valuable service to the cause of true religion by this publication, which forms a concise body of experimental and practical divinity. As most of the articles are extracts from larger works, they do not in every instance possess that completeness of form which they would have done, had they been written as distinct and separate essays; but the selections, upon the whole, are made with judgment, and will be found at once edifying and instructive, possessing much of that spirit