which it has been the uniform object of the work in which they were inserted to maintain. It was thought that the chief topics for Family Sermons-and indeed all sermons-were such simple Scriptural points as the fallen, guilty, and helpless condition of mankind by nature; the love of God in Christ; the atonement; repentance; faith; justification; the offices of Christ, and of the Holy Spirit; sanctification; peace with God; love to God; the forbearance of God; Christian obedience, and love to mankind; death, and eternity; heaven, and hell: and that they should not be discussed controversially, but practically, with constant application to the conscience, and prayer for the blessing of God.

It gives the writer singular satisfaction to have been allowed to avail himself of the honour of dedicating his pages to two Right Reverend Prelates, whose names are so greatly beloved and revered by the best friends of our Church and our common Christianity. It is not often that two such near relatives have been seen sitting side by side among our Prelates; brothers in office, as well as by birth, affection, and that higher brotherhood which shall never cease: and certainly in no instance has such a coincidence occurred more honourable to those who bore the office. But this is a topic on which the writer may not enter. It is not for him to echo the tribute of public respect and esteem so widely felt for that active zeal, those labours abundant, that professional ability, that amiable and courteous deportment, and, most of all, that deep and humble piety, and that attachment to the doctrines of the Gospel and the discipline of our revered Church, which have endeared the name of SUMNER to every wise and good man; and which filled the hearts of so many with gratitude to GOD, that the talents and spiritual virtues which had adorned subordinate stations in our ecclesiastical Zion were henceforth to be consecrated to the high and

Apostolical office of the Prelacy. It was said of Bossuet and Fenelon, "The one proves religion, the other makes you love it." The biographer of either of the two Sumners will not be obliged to dissever the characteristics.

As these Discourses may fall into the hands of some persons who are unacquainted with the periodical publication from which they are extracted, it may not be irrelevant to state a few particulars respecting that work. The writer of the present pages may the more properly give this recapitulation, as, though he has conducted the work for a period approaching towards half the term of its existence, he had no share in its formation or early management, but entered into the labours of others; to imitate whose spirit, to tread in whose steps, and to follow whose advice, he felt to be the best means of perpetuating the respectable patronage which it had received, and the measure of good which, by the blessing of God, it had effected.

The Christian Observer was commenced in the year 1802. The prospectus which announced its appearance stated that it was to be conducted by members, and upon the true principles, of the Established Church: such a publication, it was added, had long been wished for. The desire of the conductors was, " to embrace information upon general subjects with religious instruction, so as to furnish such an interesting view of religion, literature, and politics, free from the contamination of false principles, as a Clergyman might without scruple recommend to his parishioners, and a Christian safely introduce into his family." The chief object of the work, it was added, was "to promote the increase of sound theological knowledge, and to delineate the character of primitive and unadulterated Christianity." The conductors, as" members of the Established Church," proposed to discuss "the principles of that church;

and to explain and enforce the pious tendency of her rites, ceremonies, and liturgy;" at the same time avoiding those asperities of controversy which might diminish that Christian affection "which ought to unite the members of Christ of every denomination;" and making it their constant aim" to cherish the affections of charity, piety, and fervent devotion, and to direct their fellow-Christians in the paths of truth and righteousness."

The preface to the first volume states, that the work thus announced, had been received with a large measure of public favour, and with the most honourable testimonies to its usefulness, and promises of support, even some "in quarters where the conductors were not sanguine in expecting them." Tories alleged that it was Whig, and Whigs that it was Tory; Calvinists that it was Arminian, and Arminians that it was Calvinistic; some Dissenters called it High Church, and some HighChurchmen thought it too conciliating towards Dissenters: a proof, it was inferred, that truth, and not party, was the object which its supporters wished to follow.

In specifying more particularly the theological opinions of the conductors, it was stated, that, “while appealing only to the Scriptures as their directory, and to the formularies of the Church of England as the best human expositor," they found them fully unfolded in the writings of our Reformers; many of which—not then so well known as at present happily they arewere largely quoted from, or re-printed, in the early volumes of the work; particularly those which partake of the character of documents "received and allowed" by the church: such as Nowell's and King Edward's Catechisms, and Jewell's Apology. Edification, and not controversy, was the object of the publication: for it is stated, in the preface to the second volume, that, earnestly desirous that men should learn that it is of

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infinitely greater moment to be real Christians than acute controversialists, the conductors of the Christian Observer wish that their work should constantly exhibit the important doctrines of the ruined state of man by nature, and of his recovery by Divine Grace; of justi fication by faith, and the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit; of the unsearchable love of Christ, and of the obligations of every one no longer to live to himself, but to Him who died for him;-that the uniform tendency of their publication should be to awaken the careless sinner; to encourage the penitent, and direct him where to look for pardon and peace; to enlighten the understanding, by a just display of the duties we owe to God and man; and to enforce upon the conscience the awful sanctions of the Gospel: then, whatever be the reception of their work in this world of darkness and error, it will not fail to meet with a favourable reception at His hands who came to establish a kingdom of righteousness and peace on earth.”

Among the writers who have, regularly or occasionally, enriched the pages of the work by their correspondence and contributions, might be named many whose talents and piety stand in high honour among their countrymen. To those who still live it would not be decorous to allude; nor of those who have departed to a better world would the conductors publish any name which the individual or his friends have not themselves made public. Yet even a list thus limited would furnish no unfavourable sample; for obituaries and posthumous publications have, in various instances, shewn to whose pen the reader was to attribute valuable papers, or collections of papers, which had already greatly interested him under an anonymous signature. Among these might be specified Dr. Jowett*, the Rev.

* Dr. Jowett's papers on Biblical criticism, especially on the litigated passage 1 John v. 7, have been, and still are, highly valued by many eminent scholars.

J. Venn*, Mr. Henry Thornton †, Bishop Heber ‡, Mr. J. Bowdler, jun. §, Mr. John Pearson, the Rev. T. Drewitt, the Rev. John Owen, the Rev. Thomas Scott, the Rev. Legh Richmond, Dr. Claudius Buchanan, Mr. Hey, and many others. In several instances, valuable works, with the names of living authors, are a republication with enlargements of papers in the Christian Observer: such as Mr. Babington's admirable work on Education; Hodgson's Letters on America,

Among Mr. Venn's papers were a considerable number of most excellent family sermons.

This distinguished statesman, whose deep and unaffected piety and unwearied activity in every work of Christian benevolence, were as remarkable as that enlightened judgment and powerful mind which, in conjunction with higher qualities, rendered him so great a blessing to the world, was one of the most considerable and valuable contributors to the work.

Bishop Heber first inserted in the Christian Observer a number of those beautiful hymns on the Church Fasts and Festivals which are contained in the volume of his Hymns, published since his death, but prepared by himself for publication.

§ See his "Remains;" a work which, notwithstanding the high tone of scriptural piety of the writer, extorted, by its talent, from the rival Quarterly Reviews of London and Edinburgh the highest encomiums. The papers which the reviewers chiefly lauded, and wondered where they could have appeared, were extracted from the Christian Observer.

See the Memoir of Mr. Scott, by the Rev. J. Scott; of Mr. Richmond, by the Rev. T. S. Grimshawe; of Dr. Buchanan, by the present Dean of Salisbury; and of Mr. Hey, by the late John Pearson, Esq. in which many of their papers are alluded to or republished. Mr. Pearson (himself a most valuable contributor to the Christian Observer), in mentioning Mr. Hey's papers in its pages, says, “This periodical work has now been so many years in circulation, that its merits may be safely left to speak for themselves and although it has participated in the lot of many other useful productions-that of being misunderstood by some, misrepresented by others, and opposed by the enemies of the faith and hope of the Gospel-yet it has surmounted all opposition, and, through the Divine assistance, has been eminently and extensively beneficial both to the clergy and laity of this kingdom. The Christian Observer has displayed good temper, and a spirit of moderation and candour, towards the various denominations of Christians: it has demonstrated that genuine aud fervent piety may exist without ignorance or fanaticism; that polemical discussions may be conducted without railing, bitterness, or asperity; and that sobriety of mind and cautious investigation are not hostile to purity of faith or soundness of doctrine. Above all, the Christian Observer has been the unwearied and zealous advocate of scriptural morality: it has enlarged