long time I was sure to receive from him a note, containing the full information desired. Nor was this all. He possessed an extensive and well-chosen collection of books; and to these he gave me, in the kindest manner, free access in his absence as well as presence, with permission even to carry away any book, on condition of leaving a note of its title on his table. If so much friendliness of feeling, united with so much contrariety of opinion, be rare, is it not so much the more to be admired?"-Pp. 11, 12. We will not conceal our opinion that in both these pamphlets, but especially in the second, there occur expressions somewhat harsh. The provocation was great; but however unreasonable an opponent is, nothing is lost by forbearance. Mr. Field has printed at the end of his second pamphlet, "an anonymous letter supposed to be written by a clergyman of the Church of England." Whatever be his station, the writer of an anonymous letter is contemptible, and does not deserve a second thought. Obsequies: being an extemporaneous Address, by John Dobell, of Cheltenham, at the Grave of George Fordham, Odsey House, Cambridgeshire, who was interred in a Private Cemetery on his own Grounds, February, 1848. Published at the request of the Family. 8vo. Pp. 14. Sherwood and Co. THE late venerable Mr. Fordham was interred in a family cemetery "in the midst of a fir grove about half a mile from the house, and approached by a winding path through ornamental grounds." The funeral address, pronounced by one who "esteemed him much and knew him well," is suitable to the sad occasion, and abounds with many pathetic strokes. Delivered under very peculiar and striking circumstances, it must have made a deep impression on the members of the family; and all who knew the sterling worth of the late Mr. Fordham, must be gratified by reading this earnest and affec tionate tribute to his memory. We had marked a passage for extract, but are compelled to omit it. The Common-weal: a Sermon preached by the Rev. Charles Wicksteed, of Leeds, at the Annual Meeting of the London Domestic Mission. Pp. 15. THIS Sermon is an earnest appeal to the benevolence and conscience of Christians to attend to the welfare of the neglected masses who abound in our towns and cities. It is a vigorous discourse, and in every page discloses not only a strong and cultivated intellect, but, what is better still, a kind and Christian heart. We wish it a wide circulation, and assure our readers they will be well repaid by its careful perusal. It is published very cheaply. The subject which it discusses will shortly invite the attention of our readers. The General Features of the Moral Government of God. By A. B. Jacocks, M. A. Boston. Pp. 90. ALTHOUGH this little work does not entirely realize our conception of what a philosophical treatise should be on such a subject, we entirely approve of the conclusions to which the writer conducts his readers. The end of God's moral government he shews to be, "the perfect moral purity of his intelligent creatures." To our mind, no treatise on such a subject can be perfectly satisfactory that is not largely imbued with scriptural language and fortified by scripture proofs. But it is gratifying to find that other minds can reach the conclusions which we so greatly value by another and an independent course. DOMESTIC. INTELLIGENCE. Rev. William Gaskell then took the Annual Examination of the Students of examination of the class in English Manchester New College. The session of this academical institution was brought to a close on Monday, June 26, and three following days, by the usual series of examinations. There was a large and highly-respectable attendance of the friends of the institution to witness the proceedings, including the Principal and all the Professors of the College; Rev. John Kentish, of Birmingham, Vice-President; Rev. Dr. Hutton, of London; Rev. R. Wallace, of Bath; Rev. Charles Wicksteed, of Leeds; Rev. W. Turner, Rev. W. Turner, Jun., of Halifax; Rev. J. Owen, of Lydiate; Rev. J. Robberds, of Liverpool; Rev. S. Bache, of Birmingham; Rev. James Whitehead, of Ainsworth; Rev. Dr. Beard; Rev. R. B. Aspland, of Dukinfield; J. A. Turner, Esq.; Robert Worthington, Esq.; E. Potter, Esq.; S. D. Darbishire, Esq.; and many others. The examination commenced at nine o'clock on Monday morning, with Professor Bowman's class of Ancient History. The answers to a series of questions, previously written by the students, without the help of notes or books, were read aloud. The questions comprehended the leading topics of Greek and Roman history. The junior Latin class of Professor Bowman followed. The Professor stated that during the session the class had read part of Cicero de Officiis, Cicero's Oration for Milo, and part of the Catilinarian Conspiracy of Sallust, the latter book being prescribed by the University of London for the matriculation examination. The class has also been engaged in Latin composition. Passages of Sallust, chosen at the time, were translated by the students, and questions answered on Syntax, Chronology, History, &c. Professor Finlay next examined the senior Mathematical class in the differential and integral calculus, with applications to Geometry and Mechanics. The answers had been previously written, but were now worked anew at the black board by the student. Professor Bowman next examined the senior Latin. The class had been engaged during the session in reading Cicero de Naturâ Deorum and the Satires of Juvenal, and in Latin composition. The examination was in Juvenal. Language, and the students answered a series of questions respecting the history and formation of the language.An hour's interval now took place, and the students and the visitors retired to the Library, where a cold collation was prepared.-In the afternoon, the examination was resumed by Professor Finlay, with the junior Natural Philosophy class. The class had gone through an elementary course of Natural Philosophy, including Statics, Dynamics, Hydrostatics, and Optics. The last class of the day was the middle Greek. Professor Bowman stated that the class had read the second book of Herodotus (prescribed by the London University for the B. A. degree), the Phædo of Plato, and the Birds of Aristophanes ; considerable attention had also been paid to Greek compositions. Throughout the day, the translations and answers and mathematical demonstrations of the students were of a highly satisfactory character, and indicated considerable proficiency. The business of the day was closed by the reading of orations in the Common Hall by three of the senior students, viz. by Mr. R. H. Hutton, "Silence, not Society, the Source of Moral and Spiritual Growth;" by Mr. James Brooks, "On the Causes which brought about the Revolution of 1640;" and by Mr. Acton, "On Unity in Religion." The examination was resumed on Tuesday, June 27th, by Professor Finlay, with the junior Mathematical class, which had read, during the session, five books of Euclid, an elementary course of Algebra, extending to Quadratic Equations, and a short course of Trigonometry. Professor Bowman followed with the junior Greek, which had been engaged in reading the Memorabilia of Xenophon, Homer's Iliad, B. xxi. (prescribed by the London University for the matriculation examination), and Herodotus, B. ii.: the class had also attended to Greek composition. The examination was confined to Herodotus, but included questions in Syntax, Geography, and Natural History. Rev. J. Martineau next examined the senior class in Mental Philosophy, the answers having been previously written by the pupils, without any aid from books or notes. Professor Finlay closed the morning exa mination with the middle class in Mathematics, which had read Euclid, B. xi., Plane and Spherical Geometry, &c. The number of visitors having greatly increased during the day, refreshments were laid out in the Classical room as well as in the Library, and both rooms were crowded. In the afternoon, Professor Finlay examined the senior Natural Philosophy class in Statics, Astronomy and Dynamics; Rev. W. Gaskell conducted a very interesting examination of the class in Modern History; and Professor Bowman closed the day's examination with the middle Latin. The class had read Cicero de Naturâ Deorum, B. i. and ii. ; four of the larger Satires of Juvenal, and Virgil's iii. and iv. Georgic,-the last book prescribed for the B. A. examination. The class had also attended to Latin composition. Orations were then read, by Mr. Worthington, "On Decision of Character;" by Mr. Roberts, "On Capital Punishments;" and by Mr. Chas. Beard, “On the Connection between the Prevalence of Christianity and the Progress of Science." On Wednesday morning, the examination was resumed by Professor Martineau, with the junior class in Mental Philosophy. Professor Bowman then took the senior Greek. The class had read four of the Orations of Lycias, and i. ii. and parts of the v. book of Plato's Republic. The class read and explained a series of very interesting passages in the first book of Plato. The examination of the students in Classical Literature, by Professor Bowman, we may take the opportunity of stating, excited the warm approbation of the friends of the College present. The examination of the Literary and Scientific department was brought to a conclusion by Professor Martineau, with the class of Moral Philosophy. The class read aloud very able answers to about thirty questions on the most important topics of Moral Philosophy. The examination of this department having been brought to a close, a number of ladies were introduced into the Common Hall, to witness the annual distribution of Prizes. Before the distribution, the Vice-President, Rev. J. Kentish, spoke as follows: Previously to the distribution of the Prizes, I beg permission to say a few words on that portion of the examination which has been just concluded. I am persuaded that I speak the feelings of all the gentlemen who have attended it, when I say that it has left on their minds a most agreeable and satisfactory impression. It has shewn us how admirable is the instruction that is delivered within these halls, and how admirably it is communicated. It has also shewn us how gratefully and wisely and faithfully, for the most part, it has been received and responded to. It might be too much to say, that every gentleman examined has given us that proof of his uniform proficiency which might have been expected; but take the examination on the whole, and I think I may pronounce it one of the fairest and best that I have ever witnessed here. So much in preface to what I have to say; and the remainder of my address will be directed to you, gentlemen students, exclusively. I have lately read with great pleasure the sentiment which has fallen from the pen of one of your much-respected Professors: "High motives must be applied, and with constancy, by the teacher." Gentlemen, I am well persuaded that the motives to increased exertion which are presented to you in the Prizes, are regarded by you in a proper light,-not in the class of the higher, still less of the highest motives. They will have the effect of inciting your increased diligence, because none of us have already attained; "and if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing as he ought to know"-a sentiment of high authority and consummate wisdom. Gentlemen, among these high motives which your respected Classical Professor hints at in the few words I have quoted from him, he certainly means to include the highest of all,-I mean that of religion, religious principle. Undoubtedly, education, the literary advantages with which a great part of our race are blest, are a great talent, of which we must give account. I point of attending the lectures of next trust, therefore, that you will all make a session, as for the most part you have attended the lectures of this, under the influence of the highest of all motives. If you do so, it will make you humble, persevering-above all, it will incite you it is communicated, and you will apply it to receive instruction in the spirit in which Christians ought to apply it. I will deto the great purposes to which men and tain you no longer, but proceed to distribute the Prizes in the order in which they are written down on the paper put into my hands. The Vice-President then proceeded to read, from a report prepared by the board of Professors, the award of the Prizes. Each student, as he was named as the successful competitor, came up to the daïs, where the highest officers of the College were seated, and received, amidst the applauses of the company, a handsomely bound book or books. 1. In Classics: The prize in the middle class was awarded to Mr. John James Bishop, "Donaldson's Pindar." -2. In the junior class, to Mr. Russell Sothern, "Thucydides, Græcé." 1. In the class of Moral Philosophy: The senior students (viz. Messrs. Beard, Hutton, Roberts and Worthington) were placed by their standing beyond the range of competition. The prize of two guineas was awarded to Mr. James Brooks, "Morell's History of Speculative Philosophy," 2 vols. 2. In the classes of Mental Philosophy: The prize of one guinea was awarded to Mr. John Dendy, "Lord King's Life of Locke." Mathematical classes: In the junior Mathematical class, the prize, value two guineas, offered by a Friend to the College, was awarded to Mr. William Napier. The books were "Duhamel, Cours de Mécanique," "Salmon on Conic Sections," "Hymer's Theory of Equations." 1. In the senior Mathematical class, the prize, value two guineas, offered by a Friend to the College, was awarded to Mr. C. Potter. The books were, "Airy's Mathematical Tracts," "Walton's Hydrostatical Problems," "Murphy on Electricity."-2. Another prize, "Lacroix's Elements of Algebra, and the Complément," was awarded to Mr. Dendy, who was very little, if at all, inferior to Mr. Potter, in his answering. Class of Modern History. Though, in consequence of Mr. Dendy having taken the course on English History last session, there was no competition in this class, Mr. Hill's answers were so full and correct, that the Professors had no hesitation in awarding the prize to him. The prize, value one guinea, was "Dr. Arnold's Life and Correspondence." The Vice-President closed the proceedings by the announcement that the next session would begin on the last Friday in September. On Wednesday afternoon, June 28, the examination of the students in the Theological department commenced before a highly-respectable assembly of friends. Professor G. V. Smith began with the junior Hebrew class, which had been engaged in reading the Book of Genesis. Professor J. J. Tayler next examined the senior class of Ecclesias On tical History. The questions ranged over the history of Christianity from the seventh to the close of the eleventh century. Professor Smith next examined the senior Hebrew class, which had been occupied during the session in reading portions of the Psalms and Isaiah. The proceedings of the day closed with a sermon, by Mr. Theophilus Davies, from John xvii. 15. Thursday, June 29th, the proceedings were resumed with the examination, by Professor G. V. Smith, of the middie Hebrew class. The class had read portions of Genesis and the two Books of Samuel. Great improvement was manifested by all the Hebrew classes, and Professor Smith received the congratulations of several friends on the proficiency of his classes. Professor Tayler then examined the class of Ecclesiastical History in Lactantius. Previously to translating portions of the "Institutions," the class answered a series of questions on the life and writings of Lactantius. Professor Smith, before commencing the examination of the class in the Theology of the New Testament, briefly addressed the company, and stated that the class had, at the commencement of the session, consisted of eight members. Soon after Christmas it was reduced, by the absence through illness, of one; and before the close of the session, that illness had terminated in death. He alluded to the late Mr. Selby. In speaking of the loss which the College and society had sustained by the premature death of this young man, he felt impelled to avail himself of the opportunity of expressing thus publicly the high estimation which he felt for his dispositions and character. He had been conspicuous amongst them for the amiability and gentleness of his manners and dispositions, and for his earnestness and diligence as a student. The Professor, having paid this tribute to the memory of Mr. Selby, proceeded to state that the class had answered (in writing) all the questions but one. The answers to most were then read, and were of a very interesting kind. Professor J. J. Tayler closed the examination of the classes in the Theological department with the junior class in Ecclesiastical History. The Professor also bore his testimony to the high character of the student whose death they deplored. The answers to the questions on the history of Christianity during the second, third, fourth and fifth centuries, were very excellent, and were listened to with great interest by the assembled friends. Mr. Crosskey, the senior student, read a sermon on Isaiah xxviii. 38. The examination being now brought to its termination, the Rev. Robert Wallace proceeded to deliver the address, which was as follows: Gentlemen, it now devolves upon me, as the junior Visitor of this institution, briefly to address you, before you separate and go to your respective homes. An absence from Manchester of two years has deprived me of the opportunities, which I formerly enjoyed, of watching the progress of your studies, and of holding direct personal communication with those to whom the superintendence of them is entrusted. But I have not been indifferent to the welfare of this academical institution during that time; and the reports which I have received, from those who were most competent to give them, have not been discouraging or unfavourable. This, I assure you, has been to me a source of great satisfaction; for though, at the examinations in this Common Hall, on occasions like the present, all the friends of Manchester New College have annual opportunities of marking the progress of the young men educated in it, I know, from experience, that the best place for forming a judgment of the promise which the students give of future respectability and usefulness in the ministerial profession, is the class-room. But I shall perhaps stand excused in your eyes, if I remind you, that you enter the walls of this College for higher and nobler purposes than that of acquiring mere secular knowledge, however valuable in itself; or of enriching your minds with the stores of literature and science, however desirable such attainments may be, in forming the character of the Christian scholar or gentleman. By your presence here this day, you virtually declare that the Christian ministry among Protestant Dissenters is the object of your deliberate and unbiassed choice; and you will falsify your own professions, if you ever lose sight of the position which you are destined to occupy in the religious body with which you stand connected. You may excel as classical scholars; you may become profound mathematicians, and be well skilled in the different branches of natural, mental and moral philosophy; but unless you make theology your particular study; unless you strive to familiarize yourselves with the original languages of the Old and New Testament; unless you make it your aim to acquire a knowledge of the criticism and interpretation of the Bible, and the history and evidences of natural and revealed religion,-you have mistaken your vocation, and cannot expect to become able and successful ministers of the Gospel of Christ. What would be thought of a young man, intended for the profession of medicine or the law, who should devote his attention exclusively to classical and general literature, or to any favourite scientific pursuit, and pay little or no regard to those studies which are peculiarly adapted to qualify him for attaining to eminence as a medical or legal practitioner? And yet a candidate for the ministerial office, who neglects his preparatory studies, or treats them as matters of secondary importance, is far more culpable. It is lamentable when those to whom the spiritual and eternal interests of large portions of their fellow-men are entrusted, enter upon the duties of their office without the requisite degree of preparation. To discharge those duties with efficiency and acceptance, requires a range of knowledge, for the acquisition of which peculiar facilities are afforded in this Collegiate Institution, and without the possession of which, the best intentions, the soundest judgment, and the most highly cultivated mind, will be of comparatively little avail. There may, I admit, be some rare instances of men attaining to eminence, as Ministers of the Gospel, who have taken up the profession without having gone through the usual preparatory studies. I have occasionally met with such in the course of my own experience. But I never yet conversed with a person of this description, who was not conscious of the disadvantages under which he had laboured, and who did not regret that his attention was not earlier and more systematically directed to the study of theology in its several branches. Among other incentives to diligence in your theological course which I would at this time more particularly urge upon you, not the least affecting is that which arises from the fleeting nature of human existence. Of this you have been forcibly reminded by the recent death of your fellow-student, Mr. Selby, who has been called away at a time when he had made considerable progress in his preparation for the ministerial office; and when, if life and health had been spared, his friends would have been justified in anticipating for him a long career of honourable labour in the Christian ministry. But upon this mournful event there is the less necessity for me to dwell, as the Theological |