they have associated much with our clergy, yet none of them could enter our reading-desks or our pulpits. Such a state of things will no longer be permitted to exist. The change will, we are convinced, be productive of great good, to our own as well as to the Episcopal Churches in Scotland and America. It will be seen that the three Churches are one and the same. the Archbishop of Canterbury the clergy of all the three will feel deeply indebted, for being the instrument in the removal of those useless restrictions, which have so long operated to the exclusion of so many excellent men from our churches.

CHURCH EXTENSION.

To

This question is soon to be discussed in the House of Commons. Numerous petitions have already been placed on the table of the House, and we trust that many others will be forwarded to the same quarter. The whole subject will be submitted to Parliament this Session. Nay, it is now, probably under discussion, while this sheet is going through the press. Sooner or later we hope the House of Commons will be compelled to make a grant of public money for the purpose.

The motion of Sir Robert H. Inglis is a very extensive one, embracing topics of vast importance and magnitude. It will direct the attention of the House to the increased and rapidly increasing population of the country, and to the deficiency as to the number of churches for the accommodation of that рориlation. It appears that the increase in the population in England and Wales has been six millions since the commencement of the present century. Certain grants have been made by Parliament for building additional churches, but not in proportion to the advance in the tide of population. Dissent, with its boasted voluntary principle, does nothing with the overwhelming masses of the people; it can only collect a few persons together here and there. The field of action is as wide as any Dissenter could wish; yet, what have they done? or, what can voluntaryism do for the vast numbers who are perishing for lack of knowledge? The evil must be met by legislation, for voluntaryism has proved itself to be in

sufficient.

Of course, the Radicals, Papists, and latitudinarians in the House of Commons, will oppose any resolution for a grant of public money for such a purpose. Some may, perhaps, take the ground that it is not just to supply the means of building churches, while the Dissenters are left to build their own chapels; and others will take the general ground, that it is not possible now to add to the burdens of the country.

With

regard to the objectors of the former class, we have a very simple reply to make-that Dissenters, having adopted the voluntary principle, could not, even if it were offered, receive money from the State. And to the objectors of the second class we remark, that the money is demanded for the poor-for those who have no means of providing for their spiritual interests for those who cannot attend the house of God, even if they would. Surely no Radical, professing as all radicals do, that he is the friend of the poor, can, consistently, refuse his consent to a grant of public money for the use, the sole use, of those very parties in whose welfare he professes to be so deeply interested.

However, after all the Radical and Papist opponents are deducted, we trust that there will be a very large body of men in the House of Commons who will stand forth as the advocates of a grant of public money for this most important object. Even her Majesty's Ministers if they consult, not merely the welfare of the people, but their own interests, will pause before they refuse. Should the object be defeated this Session, we hope that the people will speak to the Legislature through that medium which is always open to them-namely, BY PETITIONS-in a voice that cannot be mistaken.

General Literature.

A History of England, upon Christian Principles. By the Rev. J. WALTER. London: Rivington. 1839.

HOWEL, in one of his interesting familiar letters, says, very happily, that in perusing a well-written history, we seem to look upon past events with ancestral eyes. The expression is full of poetry; but its fancy is greater than its truth. The converse of the proposition ought to be true. Instead of gazing upon the epochs of history with ancestral eyes, we should examine them with the eyes of strangers; our minds should be uninfluenced by prejudice or by affection; our imaginations unkindled by the pageants, or inflamed by the wickedness, of a century; we should sit down to the study of history with feelings unpromised, so to speak, to any candidate for fame. If such be the duties of a reader, those of a writer are infinitely weightier and more important. Bolingbroke has given an outline of what he is to perform; and in cases of criticism, at least, we may, without hesitation, submit to be instructed by an enemy. "To teach and to inculcate," he says, "the principles of virtue, and the rules of

wisdom and good policy, resulting from those details, should form a prominent part in every historical design; a writer should put a thread into our hand, by which we may find our way in safety through the labyrinth of human folly and passion." But it has unfortunately happened that in this, as in other paths of knowledge, our guides are often ignorant, and often unfaithful. Political aggrandizement, party spirit, literary distinction, have been the chief sources of inspiration to the pen of the historian. History has been composed, as if it were the record of a mortal, instead of an immortal; as if the virtue, or the sin of any action, died with its author. It was to remedy this omission that Mr. Walter undertook the elaborate labour which is now before us. To write a History of England upon Christian principles, was, indeed, an exploit of which any author might justly be proud. It would be a manual against the allurements of ambition. But Mr. Walter has certainly not succeeded in producing such a work. His volumes are not analytical. We want a more searching anatomy of motives; a severer scrutiny into character; a clearer application of the Gospel-standard of measurement. Mr. Walter seems to have thought that he was writing a history upon Christian principles, when he illustrated his pages with Christian quotations; we think him very much in error. But the subject demands a larger space than we are able to afford it. It is not, however, improbable that we may return to it, at a future period, in attempting to present a general view of English historians. In the mean time, we can have no hesitation in recommending Mr. Walter's volumes, as far as they go; they evidently proceed from the pen of a scholar and a Christian, whose partial failure has arisen, as we believe, from an erroneous conception of the plan he was going to fill up.

1. The History of France, from the earliest periods to the present time, adapted for Youth, Schools, and Families. By Miss JULIA CORNER. London: Dean and Munday. 1840.

2. The History of Spain and Portugal, from the earliest periods to the present time, adapted for Youth, Schools, and Families. By Miss JULIA CORNER. London: Dean and Munday. 1840. THESE little histories are unquestionably well intended, and they have the merit of cheapness and a pleasing style; but we are sorry to see so much liberalism peeping out here and there. Surely there was no necessity for Miss Corner, in teaching little girls the History of Spain, that she should become the apologist of the Jesuits. The History of France is freer from such faults.

Help to the Reading of the Bible. By BENJAMIN ELLIOTT NICHOLLS, M.A., Curate of St. John's, Walthamstow. New edition. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

THIS little work fills up an important chasm in the publications of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; it lays no claim, indeed, to originality, being for the most part composed of hints selected from the works of others. The author has arranged his materials in a lucid order, and has, we think, succeeded in the object which he purposed to undertake in the present compilation, viz., " to give such a view of the sacred volume, as may, through the divine blessing, awaken a desire to 'search the Scriptures,' and assist those who are making a first effort to do so." The following is the method pursued by Mr. Nicholls-Part I., in four chapters, treats on the Divine authority of the Bible; on the purpose for which the Bible was given; on the manner in which the great truths of the Bible have been revealed; and on the interpretation of the Bible. Part II., in three chapters, discusses the government and public worship of the Jews, including some notices of Jewish sects. And Part III. contains a short account of the several books of the Bible, in eight chapters. Three neatly engraved maps accompany this volume, which we hope will find its way into every parochial and lending library. A copy of it would form an appropriate companion to the Bible and Book of Common Prayer, which are ordinarily given to the children of our charity schools on their going into service.

Dodd's Church History of England. From the commencement of the sixteenth century, to the Revolution in 1688, with notes, additions, and a continuation. By the Rev. M. A. TIERNEY, F.S.A. Vol. III. London: Dolman. 1840.

OUR opinion of this celebrated work is on record; the notes, additions, and continuation shall receive a notice in a separate article devoted to them, when the work is complete. handsomely printed and learnedly edited.

It is

Roman Misquotation; or certain passages from the Fathers, adduced in a work entitled "the Faith of Catholics," brought to the test of the originals, and their perverted character demonstrated. By the Rev. RICHARD T. P. POPE, A.M. London: Holdsworth. 1840. A more complete exposé of the abominable dishonesty too often practised by Romish controversialists, we would not desire to see than this. Mr. Pope has performed his task well, and has merited the thanks of all true members of the Anglican Church by the publication of this very well-timed and necessary work.

A Lexicon, Hebrew, Chaldee, and English; compiled from the most approved sources, Oriental and European, Jewish and Christian; containing all the words, with their usual inflexions, idiomatic usages, &c., as found in the Hebrew and Chaldee Texts of the Old Testament; and, for the convenience of the learner, arranged in the order of the Hebrew Alphabet; many hitherto obscure terms, phrases, and passages explained; and many errors of former Grammarians pointed out and corrected. To which are added three appendixes: The first containing a plan, with two sections, and a short description, of the Temple of Ezekiel, its courts, furniture, &c. The second, an English Index, alphabetically arranged, forming a reversed Dictionary, English, Hebrew, and Chaldee. The third presenting certain additions, corrections, &c., to the Lexicon generally, &c. By SAMUEL LEE, D.D., Regius Professor of Hebrew in the University of Cambridge. London: Duncan and Malcolm. 1840.

WE have much pleasure in announcing the publication of Professor Lee's Hebrew and English Lexicon, the execution of which will not detract from his long-established reputation. The title page above given, so fully expresses the object of the learned author (who makes grateful acknowledgment to the Rev. Arabic Professor Jarrett for much valuable aid), that we have only to add that the object proposed by Dr. Lee in undertaking this work has been fully attained. Conciseness and precision, the two grand requisites in all elementary works, have been particularly kept in view: and students of the Hebrew Scriptures (those especially who use Professor Lee's Hebrew Grammar), will find this Lexicon a most valuable auxiliary to their Biblical researches.

1. The Standard of Catholicity; or An Attempt to point out, in a plain manner, certain safe and leading principles, amidst the conflicting opinions by which the Church is at present agitated. By the Rev. G. E. BIBER, L.L.D. London: Parker. 1840.

2. Sermons on the Sacraments. By HENRY BULLINGER, Minister of the Church at Zurich. Cambridge: Stevenson. 1840.

WE notice these works here, only to say that in our next number we shall examine them, and several others on "Catholicity" and "Sacraments," at considerable length. We cordially recommend, in the meantime, the beautiful reprint of Bullinger published by Mr. Stevenson.

Lectures on Locke; or the Principles of Logic, designed for the use of Students in the University. London: Cadell, Strand.

Or what University?—we suppose Oxford, though the lecturer does not inform us; the lectures are very well arranged, and have, for the most part, given us satisfaction.