want of proper attention to these and other minute parts of the system, that many schools are not yet brought to the perfection. of which they are capable. The smaller wheels must be kept in complete order if we would exhibit the whole machine in its entire beauty. With the object of correcting these mistakes, of making known those alterations which are continually occurring in the national school, and of giving life and energy to the whole, we are anxious that a general visitor should be appointed to examine periodically the central, and perhaps other large schools, where it is of importance, that the greatest accu racy should be observed. Whenever such a plan has been adopted by the Diocesan and District Societies, considerable advantage has been derived from it. It quickens the zeal of the local committees; stimulates the master; and, by empowering the general visitor to distribute a few reward books at each school he inspects, it creates an anxiety, and an eagerness in the children to excel. Whatever rouses public attention to the subject; whatever proves to the parent the interest taken in the education and conduct of their children; whatever periodically animates exertion, must be of service to the general cause.

It is a lamentable necessity arising partly from accidental causes, and partly from the exigencies of the times, which obliges many parents to remove their children from our schools at a very early age. No sooner do we begin to make good impressions, no sooner are the effects of our instruction visible, than they are removed from our friendly care, and exposed to a very different scene. Whenever, therefore, the funds will admit of a sufficient encouragement being given to some of the mo nitors to remain in the school, we are persuaded that, not only great immediate advantage will be felt, but the best, and perhaps the only means will thus be taken for perpetuating and perfecting the work that is so well begun. It can only be by training up masters expressly for the purpose, that we can hope to eradicate the blunders and errors of the old system. In order also to watch the effects of our early instruction, we think that an annual enquiry into their characters after they have quitted school, as far as may be practicable, and a proportionate encouragement to those who are known to be regular in their attendance on public worship, and of whose general conduct their masters and parents can speak favourably, would be an excellent means of bringing to maturity the seed thus early sown. On these and many other points connected with the objects of the National Society, we have observed several useful remarks in a publication entitled Suggestions to the Promoters of Dr. Bell's System of Instruction," by the Rev. F. Iremonger; a work which is characterized by Dr. Bell as abounding with useful and solid

1100 congues i tal salt 1, greater cabut than it is at present: j-blexyw coût pot be de viaje, mdar le direction of the School Comsar men, to prejaro one book, in quare ion and auster, what mga baga to the teachers in the elementar books now used; a (perhaps, by an alridquent of Mrs. Tinner's Teacher's J

tout, and Crossman's Introduction to the Knownze of the Christian Regiony contain much sound instruction on rempla m general, on the Catechism, and on the Liturgy of car ele cellent Church. We are willing also to incur the charge of bigotry, and of unduly biassing the minds of children, when we way that the scriptural grounds on which, conformity to the Church of England is required, should be inculcated, and we are not acquainted with any shor, and concise statement, better adapted to such a purpose than that mentioned at the head of this article, "The duty of conforming to the Church of England, in question and answer." We should be rejoiced to see this little work placed on the list of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, that the means might be afforded of using it in our national schools, wherever a disposition so to do may We subjoin the following extract, which will afford a fair specimen of the whole :-

exist.

"Q. Did St. Paul set Timothy and Titus over particular Churches?

"A. Yes; He appointed Timothy to the Church of Ephesus, and Titus to the Church in Crete.

"Q. Had Timothy and Titus a power given them to ordain other Ministers?

"A. Yes: St. Paul commands Timothy to commit the things

which he had heard to faithful men, that they might teach others also ;' 2 Tim. ii. 2. And he commands Titus to ordain Elders in every city;' Tit. i. 5.

"Q. What form was used in ordaining Ministers?

"A. The Bishops and Presbyters laid their hands on the heads of the persons who were to be ordained; Acts vi. 6. 1 Tim. iv. 14. --v. 22.-2 Tim. i. 6.

"Q. Was any person suffered to enter into the Ministry without being duly ordained?

"A. No: No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron;' Heb. v. 4.

"Q. Is an inward call to the Ministry sufficient without an outward ordination ?

"A. No: Aaron, was called by God, but he was ordained by Moses; Lev. viii. 5. 12.

"Q. May not persons think themselves called by God, when they are not so called?

A. Yes: St. John says, 'Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they be of God, because many false prophets (that is false teachers) are gone out into the world;" John iv. 1.

"Q. Did God punish any persons in former times for taking upon themselves the Priest's office, without authority?

"A. Yes: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were punished with sudden death; Num. xvi. and the King Uzziah was smitten with leprosy; 2 Chron. xxvi. 18."

At present the explanation of the books the children read, and of the nature of their roligion must be left in the hands of those who superintend them; and we earnestly hope that they will zealously proceed in the work and labour of love, which they have undertaken.

Thus much at least of certain and substantial good has been, produced by the formation of the National Society, that it has called forth the personal and active exertions of so many benevolent persons of all ages and stations, and even though no further benefit had arisen from it, there would be, in this aloue, abundant cause of satisfaction.

BRITISH CATALOGUE.

DIVINITY.

ART. 7. A Sermon preached at the Primary Visitation of the Bishop of London. By the Rev. W. Parker, A.M. Rector of St. Ethelburga. Rivingtons. 1814.

At no time was the distinction of the ministerial office so much confounded, nor its sacred functions so much degraded,

as in the present day, when every présumptuous fanatic becomes a teacher of the word, and his preteusions are sanctioned by the law of the land. To separate themselves from this unholy band, not in outward appearance only, but in word and in deed, is the duty, no less than the interest, of the ordained and apostolical ministry of the Church. But in proportion to the eminence on which they at present stand, will be the calumny and censure to which they will be on every side exposed. Happy for them will this trial be, if it should call forth that fervid piety, that learned labour, that zeal in instruction, and that sanctity in life, which will be found the proudest ornament, distinction, and defence of the Clergy of the Established Church. Every excitement from without, every exhortation from within, is called for to further this holy purpose. Mr. Parker has therefore well chosen the character of the Christian priesthood, as the subject of a sermon preached upon so important an occasion. His discourse is conspicuous for piety and good sense. There is nothing turgid nor high-flown in his exhortations; but all is clear, practical, and judicious. We could wish that the admirable advice contained in the following paragraph, could be impressed upon the mind of every young clergyman throughout the kingdom.

"The abstaining from things directly immoral will not, however, satisfy the just expectations of the people. They naturally look for that CONSISTENCY OF CHARACTER, in their pastors, which it should at all times be our most anxious endeavour to preserve. It is of the greatest importance for us, if we would discharge our duty with effect, to command the veneration, esteem, and love of the people committed to our care; but these points, so essential to the success of our ministerial labours, can never be secured, if our actions do not, in all respects, correspond with the pure and holy Doctrines delivered by us, from the pulpit. Levity in manners, and conversation; an attachment to the fashionable pleasures and amusements of the age; or an overweaning regard to worldly concerns, will not fail to alienate from us the affections of religiously inclined persons, and to expose us to the contempt and ridicule of the vicious and profane. Nay, many things, not unlawful in their own nature, are inexpedient in us; and we should deem no action of small account, by which we may forfeit the veneration due to our sacred office. "The appearance of evil," therefore, as well as the reality of it, ought studiously to be

avoided." P. 17.

ART. 8. The exclusive Profession of the Pure Word; a Sermon preached at the Visitation of the Bishop of Salisbury,

by

by Josiah Thomas, A.M. Senior Minister of Christ Church, Bath. 4to. 2s. Robinson. 1814.

In this discourse, Mr. Thomas considers the real meaning of the pure word of God, and justly estimates the pretensions of those who claim it as their own exclusive profession and privilege. We admire the frankness with which the author declares his opinions, and the zeal with which he maintains them. Nor are these the only points in which he deserves commendation; his views are clear and just, his language is energetic and strong, We are much pleased with his powerful condemnation in the following sentence of that raving and rhodomontade, which too often, in the present day, disgraces and degrade's the character of a Minister of the Gospel.

"So long as profit and popularity can be acquired by the display of that multiplication of words, which is now called eloquence, and that wild volubility of utterance so commonly dignified, in some places, with the attributes of talent and ability; while in others, it is blasphemously assumed and proclaimed, as a proof of Divine inspiration." P. 19,

The great feature of the present times, is a general desire of lowering the doctrines of religion to the standard of individual caprice and private fancy: and the liberality of the day will allow differences of opinion upon the great points of our faith, no higher a place in our consideration or regard than the diversiies of taste on the subjects of poetry, music, or painting. Upon this subject Mr. Thomas speaks in terms of just reprobation.

"The most awful truths, the most sacred institutions of the religion of the Son of God, were never, before our days, publicly proclaimed, and publicly avowed, to be matters of mere private opinion: never before our days was it publicly allowed, in both theory and practice, that every man has a right to adopt or to reject, as much, or as little, of Christianity, as may suit his own fancy. Never before our days, at least since the throne and the altar were subverted by fanatical turbulence, never were insanity and blasphemy separate, and united suffered to rave at large, without observance, under the pretext of modes of divine worship. To complete the triumphs of the liberal spirit of the times, if a regular Minister of the Established Church presume to question the right, on which these proceedings are grounded, he shall be sure to hear of how little value is the opinion, or the protestation, of an illiberal and persecuting priest."

The spirit both of a Churchman and of a Christian is predominant throughout the whole of this Sermon, and we are persuaded that its effect upon the assemblage of clergy, before whoin