setting the multitude agape. Fortunately, Dr. Cox is above such pretences, and pre. fers feeding the minds of his people with wholesome views, suggested by others, in their interpretations of this book, to any far-fetched imaginations of his own. For our own part, the vindications of this prophecy appear to us so clear, that any one, with a tolerable knowledge of ancient history, need not err respecting them; and, perhaps, there are but few of the prophetic parts of the word of God, upon which such a uniformity of interpretation prevails among our best critics and orthodox divines. Dr. Cox has evidently made a good use of the materials thus furnished him, and has displayed in the composition of these lectures extensive research, an accurate judgment, and enlightened piety.

REVIEW.-Memoir of John Adam, late Missionary at Calcutta. 12mo. J. Cross. London.

Tais excellent young man, who fell a sacrifice to an eastern climate, was a Missionary of extraordinary promise, in connexion with the London Missionary Society; just permitted to enter upon his labours, and then called away to his reward, in the 27th year of his age, and the third of his missionary occupations. He was a particular friend and correspondent of the talented and pious Urquhart, whose memoirs were a few years since communicated to the public from the pen of the late Foreign Secretary of the same excellent institution, the Rev. W. Orme; and some of his papers, which are here introduced, cannot fail to impress the mind of the reader with the similarity of their mental and moral constitution. By his coadjutors in the mission, Mr. Adam was beloved with a parental and a fraternal fondness; and his piety, amiability, and general deportment, are celebrated by them with such warm and animated eulogiums, as to impress our minds with the persuasion, that the death of Mr. Adam was as much a public as a private loss. The volume is full of interest, and cannot fail to edify and to instruct all who give it a perusal. The profits of the sale are to be given to the Mission.

REVIEW.-Tales of the Manse; by a Gentleman gone to the Indies. Edited by Hugh Hay, Esq. First Series, St. Kentigern, a Romance of Stratclyde. Glasgow: Blackie and Son, 1833. THIS is the first of a series of tales professing to be a collection of monkish legends.

Their pedigree and history are told in an introductory chapter,—that what has already been given to the public is an old Scotch Romance of the days of the Druids. The scene is laid in Lanarkshire, and the plot of the tale turns upon some of the inhuman regulations and bloody rites of that singular sect. It is powerfully related, and, although it does not develop any profound acquaintance with the social or religious character of the Druids, yet it gives promise that the series of romances which it commences, will occupy a rank considerably above that of the modern host of compositions which shelter their feeble pretensions under that imposing name.

REVIEW.-Journal of Travels in South Africa, among the Hottentots and other Tribes, in the Years 1812, 1813, 14, by John Campbell,. Abridged by the Author. London: Religious Tract Society, 1834.

To many readers, the original work from which this little volume is abridged, is already known. The present is a judicious selection from the interesting contents of that volume, and affords more information respecting the interior of Africa-a subject on which it will probably be very long before public curiosity is satisfied.

REVIEW.-The Picture Bible for the Young: containing sacred Narratives in the Words of the Holy Scriptures, illustrated by Engravings-Genesis lo Deuteronomy. London: Religious Tract Society. 1834. WE shall be anxious to see the subsequent numbers of this elegant work. The illustrations which embellish the volume before us, are well chosen as to the subjects, and beautifully executed. They are unquestionably calculated to draw the attention of the young to the sacred volume, and to impress its truths upon their minds.

BRIEF SURVEY OF BOOKS.

1. The Mother at Home; or, the Principles of Maternal Duty familiarly illustrated, by the Rev. S. C. Abbott, of Worcester, America, (Religious Tract Society,) is written with the same view as "Is it well?" already noticed, and embraces the numerous duties that devolve upon a mother in bringing up her children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." The great task of religious education in youth has often been treated by men of every party and degree of talent; but we believe we may truly say, it never was better understood than in the present day. The work before us is divided into chapters, on the subjects of-Responsibility,—Maternal Authority,-The Mother's Difficulties,-Faults and Errors, Religious Instruction,-and Results. These several subjects are judiciously treated, and pleasingly interspersed with familiar dialogues, domestic scenes, and appropriate anecdotes, and we think the work equally calculated for the family circle and the maternal closet.

2. Christ the First Fruits of the Resurrection; in Two Parts, (Holdsworth and Ball;) is a small argumentative tract on the subject of the resurrection of our

Lord, enforcing its necessity as the basis of the Christian system, and the great scheme of human redemption. In order to the conduct of his argument, the author has divided his tract into two parts: 1. Saint Paul's two arguments for the resurrection of Christ: 2. The relation of Christ's resurrection with the resurrection of believers. The style is clear and convincing, and the several points of the apostle's arguments brought to bear distinctly and forcibly or the subject, to establish the identity and necessity of the fact. In the second part, the subject is treated with reference to the resurrection of believers; and the various arguments are introduced and enforced with great strength of reasoning. Though we cannot declare this little tract to be

on

level with the comprehension of the labouring classes, owing to the style and method of treatment, we can recommend it to the perusal of the more advanced student, as being a compendious survey of the subject.

3. Bible Questions; or, a plain, easy, and inviting Assistance to the Study of the Holy Scriptures, by W. Humble, Part I. (Souter, 1833,) is brief, comprehensive, and simple, both in design and construction, giving in a small compass a summary, in this its first part, of the contents of the Old Testament, from Genesis to Malachi. It embodies the most striking features of the Sacred History in a catechetical form, which has been proved by experience the most efficacious in conveying instruction to the youthful mind; and its freedom from marginal references, and sectarian interpretations, will, we doubt not, render it popular in all schools and families where the instruction of the young in "the lively oracles" is considered of vital importance.

4. Counsels and Consolations; containing Meditations and Reflections on Sixty-two Passages of Scripture, by Jonathan Fair, (Simpkin and Marshall, 1834,) is one of that class of books, which, though auxiliary to the Scriptures, can never supersede their use, since nothing but the eternal word of God, seconded by the influence of his Spirit, can give the wounded spirit peace, and soothe the broken heart. These reflections are, however, well adapted to their intended purpose, being plain and forcible, and founded upon an intimate knowledge of the human heart, and the various feelings by which it is actuated.

5. Memoirs of Mrs. Harvard, third edition, (Mason, 1833.) We are happy to find the increasing popularity of this very interesting memorial of Christian zeal and devotedness to the cause of missions, in which Mrs. Harvard so actively engaged.

It is always with pleasure we recur to works of this description, convinced that true and faithful records of the departed servants of God, are, under his blessing, among the most powerful persuasions to promote the growth of piety in the living.

6. Memoir of Mr. John Dungett, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, by J. Heaton, (Mason, 1833,) is the life and experience of one of the primitive members of the Methodist Society, who had known the venerable founder, and had, in his childhood, the high privilege of sitting under his ministry. The memoir gives a faithful and animated picture of the Christian course, from the cradle to the grave, and contains many incidents of a very affecting character. It also embodies some useful notices of those ordinances and means of grace which are peculiar to the Methodist Society, as classmeetings, love-feasts, covenant, &c. which will be read with interest by those who are already members of that society, and prove a valuable introduction to such as are desirous of uniting themselves with it in church communion. On these grounds we can confidently recommend it to our readers, as well worth their perusal.

7. "Anecdotes, - Religious Tracts," "Anecdotes,-Christian Conduct," (Religious Tract Society, London.) These volumes, so well adapted to beguile an hour or two at this season of the year, when there are comparatively but few attractions abroad, are compiled with the same care as those of this series which we ventured in a former number to recommend so strongly to our readers. We profess that when we first heard of the Tract Society having prepared a volume of Anecdotes, from incidents which had occurred in connexion with their own operations; we were afraid it would prove an unwise and injudicious step, taken, perhaps, for the purpose of eking out the series; but we frankly confess that in this we have been very agreeably mistaken. Many anecdotes might be selected from this volume, which would yield to none in either of its predecessors, in point of force and interest, whilst they bave all this charm as an additional recommendation, that they leave a decidedly be neficial impression upon the mind, without drawback or alloy.

8. Plain Essays on Important Religious Subjects, by T. Wood, Jewin Street, London, (Book Society for Promoting Religious Knowledge, London.) What are here termed essays, may with equal propriety be called short discourses, as they are each founded upon some passage of scripture, and formed upon the model of such com2D. SERIES, NO. 37.-VOL. IV,

positions. The following are the important topics upon which they profess to treat :The Atonement, Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, the Christian Warfare, Christian Perseverance, the Death of the Believer, Resurrection of the Body, Judgment, and Final Glorification of the Righteous; all which the reader will find discussed in a lively, pious, and edifying manner; and, as the book is designed especially for the use of the poor, the writer has shewn much wisdom in using "great plainness o speech."

9. Fellowship with God; or, Twentyeight Sermons on the First Epistle of John, Chap. i. & ii. verses 1-3, by Hugh Binning, (Religious Tract Society, London.) The writer of this excellent treatise flourished in the early part of the seventeenth century, a circumstance which will prepare our readers to expect in it much of that quaintness of expression for which authors of that period were so remarkable. For ourselves, we confess that we are rather partial to this antiquated style, provided, as in the present instance, the quaintness be found to be the vehicle of piety and good sense, and not the substitute for them. In such instances it is like the raciness of good old wine, which gives it an additional relish. The book itself is an excellent companion for the closet of the Christian; and happy are all those who attain to that holy fellowship here so forcibly and affectionately recommended.

10. Decision and Indecision; or, the Two Cousins, by the Wife of a Wesleyan Minister, (Mason, Lond.) This is, upon the whole, an interesting tale, and written with considerable ease and vivacity. The design of it (as may indeed be gathered from the title) is to impress the mind with the importance of decision of character, especially in religion; for which purpose these "cousins are contrasted in various points of view, until death closes the scene. But, after all, it is but a tale, and we are still of opinion that whilst there remain so many well-written and instructive pieces of biography, which convey the same truths in a less exceptionable way, fiction should always give place to facts. We presume that the fair writer of this tale intended it solely for the edification of her Methodist friends: for, in addition to the information that she is the wife of a Wesleyan minister, the whole story is cast in the Methodist mould; the dramatis personæ, the dialect, and scenery of the piece, being all decidedly of that character.

THE SCIAGRAPHICON.

ALTHOUGH We do not exactly agree with the notion entertained by some persons, that every amusement proffered either to the young or to the mature, should impart instruction also, in the common acceptation of that term, (for we are of opinion, that those amusements which tend to refine and cultivate the affections, without aiming directly to improve the understanding, are at least equally valuable as means of exalting the human character;) yet, that much truly important instruction may and ought to be communicated in an amusing form, is a sentiment which we cordially approve. Among instructive means of amusement, none, we apprehend, are productive of higher use, than those which teach the young how little the uninstructed and uncorrected human faculties can discern of truth; or rather, how prone they are to substitute false impressions in its place. A well-constructed instrument (for to call it a toy only, though in its dissected form it makes a very good one, would be to give it a character below its merits) has recently been produced by Mr. A. Essex, which is, we think deserving of high estimation among means of amusement belonging to the class we have mentioned. It is a perspective representation of a castle upon a horizontal plane surface, and to all appearance greatly out of drawing, but which, upon being viewed from a certain point, appears up. right, and in the most perfect relief, so that it might be mistaken for an actual model of the building,-a mistake, indeed, which, to our knowledge, has more than once occurred with it, when well managed by a friend who had undertaken to be exhibitor. We conceive that an important use in Christian education might be derived from various applications of optical science of this kind; for the fact, thus demonstrable, that the senses, uninstructed and unaided, are incapable of informing us of the truth, leads, by an irresistible analogy, to the conclusion, that such also is the incapacity of the uninstructed and unaided human faculties in general, and that, consequently, independent of Divine revelation, from which, originally, all instruction is derived, the human mind could never arrive at the truth, at all. If a little work had accompanied the Sciagraphicon, directing the young mind to these reflections, and explaining at the same time the principle of the deception as a matter of science, its utility, we think, would been enhanced as it is, however, we have great pleasure in bearing_testimony to the good taste in which Mr. Essex has produced his

novelty, the success of which, we hope, will encourage him to pursue his plan, and (by introducing a variety of subjects, together, perhaps, with the accompaniment we have suggested,) to improve it.

INDIANS OF NORTH AMERICA.

Observations on their Condition and apprehended Extinction.

THERE is an evil connected with the progress of civilization, which is certainly not one of the consequences contemplated by its enlightened and active agents, but rather the result of the mere power necessarily arising out of it-a power not always under the guidance of wisdom, morality, or religion. The evil alluded to is, the gradual extinction of the rude and simple occupants of the territory upon which the more instructed and more enterprising nations are continually encroaching. Were the principles of humanity and Christianity acted upon, as they ought to be, in the colonization of new lands, means would assuredly be sought out, by which the ignorant ante-possessors of the soil might be gradually rendered sharers in the knowledge and improvements of their intruding visitors, and become, ultimately, associated with them in rights and interests. Unhappily, however, throughout the history of modern, and, I regret to say, Christian colonization, the civilized man is seen obtruding his settlements upon the coasts of regions inhabited by beings formed like himself, and endued with speech, reflection, and perception, whom he chooses to regard as his inferiors, and whom, if he does not enslave, he compels to recede farther and farther before him, while, at every remove, they perish, and the work of extermination proceeds with more or less rapidity on every side of him. This procedure, dreadful as it is to contemplate, has most strikingly characterized the settlements of Europeans in the new world of Columbus, during the lapse of three hundred years; and whatever advantages have been derived from that great discovery by the various people of Spain, Portugal, Britain, France, or Germany, who have spread themselves over it, and who seem destined to hold it under governments emancipated from the feudalism of their European forefathers, there can be no doubt of that event having been the source of destructive calamities to the unhappy pre-occupants. Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as other conquering and colonizing nations of antiquity, appear to have mingled and amalgamated themselves