To the Editor of the Christian Observer.

therefore of such volumes we take

It is well known that the British no notice, that we may not perplex Critic now ranks among the most our readers and ourselves in vain." zealous opposers of the Bible So--British Critic, March, 1813, pp. ciety. To such as are influenced 309, 310.

by the authority of that journal it may be instructive, and to others it must be amusing, to learn what were its sentiments last year. This may be done from the enclosed extract. -I am, &c.

Hull, Dec. 1814.

J. S.

"If authority could decide a question, perfectly cognizable by common sense, we should be inclined to bow to the authority, which (very unhappily, we think) opposes itself to the Bible Society. Or, if acute and subtle argument could possibly make us believe white to be black, we should doubtless be staggered by the logic which has (with equal unhappiness) been wasted on this subject. But, as it is, we can only lament, and deeply lament, that invincible propensity to take different sides on every question, which breaks out even in the clearest and plainest concerns of human life.

"If it be a clear point that Bibles and Testaments, un-sophisticated and un-commented, cannot possibly do harm

"If it be clear that such a gift cannot be vitiated by the giver

"If it be certain, that a Society selling cheap Bibles and Testaments, and also other excellent works on theology, cannot possibly be hurt by having a great part of its expense voluntarily borne by another Society, it is and must be clear

to us,

"1. That the Bible Society is a good thing.

2.

That it tends to assist, rather than to injure, the excellent Society for promoting Christian Knowledge.

"Ten thousand volumes of con. troversy cannot, in our opinion, invalidate these plain truths, and

To the Editor of the Christian Observer.

THE following paper appeared in the Northampton Mercury of the 25th June. I trust you will not deem it unsuitable for insertion in your work, as I am very desirous to introduce the subject again to the notice of your numerous readers.

"Various are the religious and moral institutions in this country: humanity and benevolence have risen to a most unprecedented height. Not only for our own country are the exertions of the good and great employed, but at this time the greatest efforts are making in behalf of the distressed Germans. The hand of charity is open not only to the alienation of present misery, but such an institution as a Bible Society is calculated to excite thousands to seek for future happiness. But, amidst all, one set of people seem to be entirely excluded from participating in any of these blessings-I mean GIPSIES; who are accounted as rogues and vagabonds. When we consider that they, equally with ourselves, are bought with a price,' much more remains to be done. These people, however wretched, wicked, and depraved their condition, certainly demand attention; and their being overlooked with seeming indifference, in this respect, is really much to be regretted. Instead of being the subjects of pity and commiseration, they are advertised as rogues and vagabonds, and a reward is offered for their apprehension. But no asylum is offered themnothing is held out to them to encourage a reformation in any that might be disposed to abandon their accustomed vices. The object of this letter is to remind some of those gentlemen in this county who have already so eminently signalized

religion, that much good, It

bable, might be done, by some plan being adopted to call these wanderers home.-Some more able than myself may be excited to suggest some further ideas on this apparently important subject: with them I shall therefore leave these few hints."

This paper drew forth, in the Northampton Mercury, of the suc ceeding week, the following proposal from a writer who signed himself Junius.

"I have read with much pleasure, the letter in behalf of the Gipsies, in your paper of last week; and I do heartily concur with the bene volent writer, in wishing some plan may be devised and adopted for reclaiming these houseless wanderers to a more civilized and Christian life. It appears useless and unavailing to harass them from place to place, unless some asylum be provided for their reception. Ac. cording to the precept left us by the great Author of our holy profession, we should do well in all cases, to do unto others as we would wish to be dealt with ourselves. Let those gentlemen who are so zealous in driving them from their usual haunts, be persuaded, in idea, to place themselves in the situation of these houseless rovers; and instead of persecuting them, it might perhaps teach them to commiserate their case.

"When we consider the immense sums that are raised for every probable means of doing good which has hitherto been made public, surely we need not doubt but if a proper method should be proposed for the relief, and ameliorating the state, of these people, it would meet with deserved encouragement. Their number is not so large, nor would the expense attending a plan of this kind be so great, but that it would easily be practicable, so far as it respects pecuniary assistance. Suppose the Legislature should not think these persons unworthy of no

ing method of dealing with the
hoped to be of essential servic
Let there be about four or six
tions fixed upon in different
of the kingdom, as places of
dence for them: at each of
places let there be a village
of comfortable cottages, with
gardens to each cottage;
family be placed in each; let
be, farther, a house and farm a
ed to the village, where a re
table person may be placed
upon the farm let the able pa
the village be employed. I
farther recommend that two s
be erected in the village; o
the boys, and another for the
where they may be initiated
the knowledge of reading, w
&c. By all means I would r
mend that a Sunday-school
be adopted, or otherwise wha
learn in the week would be los
the Sunday. Further, let a c
be erected upon the spot,
chaplain appointed, and let
means be made use of to
them to attend Divine service
stantly.

As the children gro

let them be apprenticed to and useful trades; and for thi pose let a certain sum be set and as probably there will b who will be unable to work, le receive a weekly allowan same as paupers in other p Let these villages be ered various parts of the kingdo all persons of this descripti shall be found wandering Gipsies be placed in such nearest; and should any eith their residence, or refuse to of this assylum, I see no why the law should not be ed upon them with the severity.

"Should this plan, or a one, be thought worthy of a we should immediately find effects of it in removing the blesome mendicants from the great family _tations and roads; and the

1815.]

Letter from a Protestant Minister in France.

they would enjoy would amply re-
pay any trouble and expense that
may attend it.
And further, as your
correspondent observes, as they are
of the same nature with ourselves,
and bought with the same price,
with the precious blood of the Son
of God, it is our duty as patriots and
as Christians, to attempt something
for them"

I am fully aware of the objections which may be urged to the plan pro posed by Junius. I nevertheless send it to you, and trust that you will insert it, in the hope that it may serve to awaken the attention of the humane to a subject which is well entitled to their serious considera tion.

THEOGNIS.

Extract of a Letter from a Protes tant Minister in the South of France. (Translation.)

"I exceedingly rejoice to see the zeal of so many servants of God in England for the advancement of the kingdom of our dear Saviour; a phenomenon the more remarkable because, as it seems to me, it has appeared at a time when Satan entertained expectations of destroying Christianity in France, and perhaps throughout the whole world. How delightful would it be, if we were so happy as to behold a similar zeal animate our France; but, alas! the Dumber of true Israelites is still very small, or at least little known. Yet after the season of sifting and of apostacy, through which we have passed, one is astonished to see that the number of evangelical ministers is greater than before, though unhappily not sufficiently great. The spirit of the world reigns in our Christ. Observ. No. 157.

25

churches, the essential truths of Christianity have been obscured, particularly the doctrine of Justification by Faith, which is the fundamental and distinguishing truth of the Reformation. It is amazing that the doctrine of our reformers has become unknown in the very bosom of the reformed churches, and that people coldly debate, with a dry and barren morality after the example of Pagan philosophers, without attending to Him who has said, 'Come unto me, and I will give you rest: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing.'

I think we have reason to believe that the decayed state of the congregations originates with the universities, or that at least they very much contribute thereto. Arianism has made great efforts to introduce itself there, and several of the students have imbibed it. The spirit of the world, which is the spirit of philosophers falsely so called, infects even ecclesiastical assemblies and the pulpit. A sensible and pious man remarked to me, a short time back, that so much immorality has never been seen among Protestants, as since the period that morality alone is preached. There are still among us, God be praised, persons possessed of genuine simplicity, sheep of the good Shepherd; and it is observed here, and I believe elsewhere, that when the Gospel is preached in its purity and with unction, the hearers are respectful and attentive; but the dead have need to hear the voice of the Son of God, that they may live. We see it expedient that the Holy Spirit should come and breathe upon our souls, and reanimate our dry bones, in order that we may form a living church of Christ.

"You will, perhaps be glad to know the names of some of the pastors in the south of France, who are orthodox, and who devote them

E

and because the poor are not ciently encouraged to seek in tion. We have formed a establishment in this town fo instruction of six poor chil but in consequence of the s times through which we have ed, it has fallen to the groun commend myself and my cong tion to the affectionate interces and kind remembrance of th ciples of Jesus in England. you to assure them, as you fin portunity, that I cordially love in our common Lord and Sav and that I wish them the happ of bringing unto him many who may be able to declare, ' hast loved us; thou hast w us from our sins in thine own b thou hast made us kings and p unto God and thy Father.""

REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.

comparatively colder judgment of is contained in a sermon preached "how he wrote." We are not by that gentleman in Clapham ashamed, for our parts, to own the church, on the occasion of Mr. prepossessions under which we ap- Venn's death. The eulogy may be proach to the pleasing though mesaid to be in a style eminently aplancholy task we have here under- propriate to the character which it taken. We are not afraid of out- panegyrizes; and simply and affecrunning the sympathy of our readers tionately states the great, thoughin declaring, that should any blots, unassuming virtues "of one of the any defects, any symptoms either best and greatest men, of one of the of that carelessness which belongs most eminent and useful ministers to great genius, or that imperfec- whom we have ever known." As tion which alloys the purest and a MINISTER, it ascribes two of the most resplendent works of human rarest and most invaluable proper, fabrication in a word, any marks ties, when found in union, to his of that usual and almost inseparable pastoral instructions which can be. disadvantage which ever attends long to the sacred office; the most posthumous publications, meet us entire "fidelity in the interpretation in these volumes, we shall "ap- and exposition of Scripture ;" and proach them as we should the "originality" in "the rich, copious, wounds of a parent-with pious and varied streams of piety, truth, awe and trembling solicitude." and eloquence, which flowed from Something of filial veneration in his lips." These points, of course, evitably mingles itself with every it will be the immediate business record we have to keep of this truly of the following Review to examine excellent man. And when we reflect and illustrate. As a MAN, it at upon his too early departure from tributes to him successively, this earthly stage of useful labour mility profound and unvarying ;" and prominent exertion, at a mo"universal benevolence and uncomment when no labour or exertion in mon tenderness;" "disinterestedthe great cause can well be sparedness;" "soundness of judgment ;" his departure in the prime of life" sobriety of views ;" and an and vigour of all his mental faculties we must own a still deeper sensation thrills to our heart; and the hand which has to record his first and only work as posthumous scarcely fulfils its office.

We are, indeed, spared the pain of calling up to vivid recollection, at the present moment, the departed virtues of this eminent saint, for the purpose of recording them, by opening the preface of the work before us, and finding a valuable memoir and truly affectionate summary of his character, drawn up by the editors of his sermons. It consists, principally, in two extracts from the testimony of two brother clergymen who, it seems, had every opportunity of gaining the most intimate acquaintance with his character. The longest extract, from the pen of the Rev. Hugh Pearson, M.A. of St. John's College, Oxford,

hu

"equanimity and well-balanced proportion throughout his whole character." Some most interesting details of his death-bed are sub. joined; and a very striking similarity in it pointed out to the spirit and even to the words of "the learned, pious, and judicious Hooker." To that great and immortal light and pillar of our church, we should in truth not be afraid to have ventured a more lengthened parallel, had time permitted, in the character of our departed divine. A like reach of view and profundity of judgment; an in. timate knowledge of the best models and highest authorities, with a decided self-originating opinion, independent of all authority; the same fearless and unbroken tenor between opposite and conflicting parties; the same calm and steady reliance on a higher than any hu