shall." God then will bless his own institutions, when obedience and faith go together; but God will put no honour, nor will any signs be perceived of the Lord's being there, if the ordinance is not of God, for what is not of faith is sin. And now suffer me to bring forward the illustrious, shining example, and high commendation God gave of the father of the faithful, "Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws," Gen. xxvi. 5. And how did he keep them? He kept them from a principle of love, sincerity, faith, and a desire that he might glorify God in walking in his cnmmandments; and what a conscientious regard for them all, even the least, how many my's in this verse. Let me say it is your wisdom to submit to God's, and do as he bids you in his word, and this you will if you are Abraham's seed; those new found out laws, and ways of worshipping God, and of making light of all institutions I do not think much of; the good old way is best and safest, of godly sincerity, obedience, and humility before him. Something like that religion which is mentioned 2 Chron. xvi. 5,

but which that race who came out of Egypt had no desire for (Ps. lxxviii. 56, 57).

"I will be as the dew unto my people in their prayers; when the believer is favoured to pour out his soul unto God, how sweet are the moments.

At this time it is, more than any other, he sensibly feels his own fleece to be wet," for while they speak I will hear." God will be pouring down the dew, causing words to spring up and flow out to him, causing them to "mount up with wings of eagles." None know what this dew is from the Lord, but those who have experienced it; it is something more than the bare reading of prayer; it is something like Hannah's prayer, where she prays with that spiritual freedom as to come into the very presence of

her God as it were, and Hannah prayed and said, "My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord, my mouth is enlarged over thine enemies; because I rejoice in my salvation," 1 Sam. ii. 1—10.”

In such a work as this, where the Author very properly writes freely and frankly his own views on every subject brought forward, it is scarcely to be expected that we should coincide with every statement made; and it is with much regret that we allude to observations in reference to kings, governments, and a national church, which we cannot but regard as stains to the volumes, being no less opposed to good order in society, than they are to the concurrent testimony and precept of scripture.

With these exceptions, which we shall hope to see removed in a second edition, we cordially and earnestly recommend the work, as a valuable acquisition to the christian's library.

The Miracles in Egypt, Sketches of Socialism, and other Poems. By George Beddow. 12mo. pp. 240.

London: Hamilton and Co.

SOME charming verses will be found in this volume, particularly in those pieces which have an allusion to scripture circumstances. The preface states that the volume was revised for the press by Mr. Thomas Ragg, whose name is known to most of our

readers:

The Lord's Thus respecting Believers'

Baptism, a Sacred Poem, by R.
Abbott, 18mo. pp. 18. Liverpool:
Bethell.

THOSE of our readers who approve of adult baptism, may perhaps read this poem with approbation; to us, it seems something preposterous to conduct an argument in defence of any scriptural subject in poetry: for unless the author be indeed one of the very first order, it invariably descends, as in the present instance, to doggrel.

THE EXERCISED CHRISTIAN. Rom. viii. 22.

How hard is the lesson to learn,
That all things are working for good;
Whilst Satan and sin in each turn,
Entangle my soul in the wood :
This surely cannot be the way,

That leads to the mansion above;
My soul's overwhelmed in dismay,

And fears 'twill ne'er taste of his love.

I'm tried and I'm tempted within,
No peace can I find to exist;
But prone to all manner of sin,

Yet fain if I could would resist :
My pathway with foes doth abound,
And thistles and thorns grow amain;
I'm terrified with the sad sound,

Of ravenous beast o'er the plain.

At times on the ocean I sail,

With Jesus my Pilot on board; Enjoying a heavenly gale,

I sing the high praises of God: But ah! oh, how short is the day,

How soon doth the darkness appear; The winds and the waves and the spray, Encompass my soul with sad fear.

The clouds gather thick all around,

The waves do like mountains arise; The Pilot's not there to be found,

And lightnings shoot forth from the skies: Huge rocks and quicksands do abound, These seas upon which I am toss'd; Oh, save, I shall soon be aground, Or split on same rock and be lost.

Thus whether by land or by sea,

I'm called to traverse below;
There's nothing but sorrow for me,

My heart is o'erwhelmed with woe:
How such things can work for my good,"
I feel at a loss for to tell;
Though Jesus hath said in his word,

These things although trying are well.

Oh let me dear Jesus but know,

I'm washed in the ocean of blood;
Then welcome these crosses below,
Since they are designed for my good:
I'd passive lay in thy dear hand,

Nor murmur whate'er the design;
But willing bow to thy command,
If thou dost but say I am thine.
St. Ives.

W. C-LL.

AND THOU SAIDEST I WILL SURELY DO THEE GOOD.

Gen. xxxii. 12.

God's sheep were but rebels,
Backsliding and base,

And ne'er would have turned
To seek Jesus' face;
But he is a kind,

And long-suffering God,
And deigns for such creatures
To work for their good.

They once could delight
And take pleasure in sin,
And Satan tried hard

To retain them therein;
But say, christian! who
Thy rebellion subdued?
Oh, was it not He,

Who does all for thy good.

He shewed thee thy sinfulness,
Ruin and woe,

And taught thee the paths

In the which thou shouldst go;
Though thy heart his great mercy
Had often withstood,
Its power overcame thee,
And all for thy good.

He's wondrous in counsel,
His wonderful ways
To thee are not known,

Yet believe what be says:
Let these words with pleasure,
And rapture be viewed,
"Thy God will most surely
Do all for thy good."
Yes, He is your Brother,

Your Guide and your Friend,
And although his working
You can't comprehend;
(His ways by mere mortals
Are not understood),
But O be assured

That he will do thee good.

They often are darksome,
And then you despair,
But the sequel will prove

That Jehovah was there;
And thus thou shalt learn
That in trials so rude,
God designs his own glory,
And thy soul's great good.

Here streams of peace and pardon flow,
Adapted to the chosen race;
Here never failing comforts grow,
For all the citizens of grace.

Here sorrow, sickness, toil, and woe,
Are buried in this liquid grave;
And here the waves of mercy flow,
For all whom Jesus deigns to save..

It rises from an ancient spring,
And flows from God's eternal hill;
Though thousands have been washed herein,
Yet thousands still its virtue feel.
Within this river may I bathe,
And all my sins be buried there ;
Then will I sing of bleeding love,
And bid adieu to black despair.
St. Ives.

LINES,

W. C-LL.

Written on the Case of a Clock.

Here my master bids me stand,
And mark the time with faithful hand;
What is his will is my delight,
I tell the hour by day and night:
Master, be wise and learn of me,
To serve thy God as I serve thee.

G. M.

AN ADDRESS DELIVERED TO A YOUNG

GENTLEMAN,

ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH-DAY, When he arrived and entered on the oneand-twentieth year of his age. "Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? even by taking heed thereto according to thy word."-Ps. cxix. 9.

This psalm, from whence I have selected these words, and which appear (and have been suggested to me by one, sir, whom you most highly value) as suited to the present occasion and subject, is the longest in all the book and collection of psalms, in the volume of inspiration. It is so artificially contrived, on purpose that it might be learnt together with the alphabet by the Hebrew children and youth, for the perpetuating the study of the law, or word of God, among all ranks of people, being as a sort of Hebrew primer. It seems Ezra rather than David was the writer of it. The eight alphabets in it seem to have relation to the eight great hours, or watches, said to be appointed about the time of Ezra, for the service of the waiters in the temple, if not by himself. Each of them made a distinct psalm by itself, as any one at a single glance may observe; and be so on purpose divided, that at the soundSupplement, 1839.]

ing of the trumpets for opening of these hours and services, the waiters in their course might all be summoned to wait on the divine law during the ministration, and that the study thereof might thus be perpetuated without any intermission. If Ezra composed it, yet it must be acknowledged that the ground of it is taken from the first and nineteenth psalms. Thus much by way of preface.

The words of my text-" Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? even by taking heed thereto according to thy word"-naturally divide themselves into three particulars.

There is first, a question proposed; secondly, an answer returned; thirdly, a rule given, by which the person is to be guided.

The question is, "Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way?" The answer is, Even by taking heed." The rule prescribed for him is the word," By taking heed according to thy word."

I will by the Lord's permission take up and consider the words in the following order. And consider,

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First, to whom they are addressed. It is to a young man : Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way ?

Secondly, I will endeavour to shew

PP

the necessity of a young man's cleansing his way.

Thirdly, point out the rule by which this is to be done.

You

According to this proposed method and order, I will first consider to whom these words are addressed and belong it is to a young man. Sir, it hath pleased the Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth, in whom you live, and move, and have your being, to uphold you in life to the present moment. Through his good hand upon you, he has permitted you to enter on a return of your birth-day, which now completes your age of one-and-twenty. are in the possession and enjoyment of many valuable, and of those also which may be styled invaluable blessings. One whom you most highly value and esteem as your chiefest earthly friend, gave me this scripture for the proposed design of addressing you at this time. May it be acceptable, useful, and profitable to your mind, and be accompanied with the Lord's blessing, that it may do you good. Youth is the spring-time of life; it is a season once past never returns. No words can fully express the necessity of guarding the mind from evil; of cultivating the understanding with necessary knowledge; of laying down such principles, and adopting such a method and regula rity of conversation, walk, and conduct, as will be beneficial all through life. At such a period of life the experience, let the knowledge be what it may, is small. Whatever knowledge may have been acquired, yet experience and practice must in a measure be wanting; therefore many hasty attempts and plans are frequently adopted and pursued.

You have been, through the good hand of God upon you, guided and preserved hitherto. Kept from innumerable snares; blest with innumerable blessings; favoured with religious instructions and examples; and have formed a connection for your future

happiness in life, most pleasing to yourself and your best friends.

You have, dear sir, a taste and relish I trust for good, truly substantial and sublime. The love of God in Christ Jesus, can make you perfectly happy; and communion with God the Father in Christ Jesus, through the Spirit, will make you practically holy in all manner of conversation and godliness.

To know Jesus is life eternal; to enjoy the love of Jesus is heaven upon earth. No blessing can exceed knowing and believing in the name of the only begotten Son of God. To have Jehovah Jesus for the God of your youth, to have him for your guide through the slippery path, and for him to be your portion and inheritance, and for him to uphold your steps in his good ways, and not suffer you to depart from him, nor decline from his way; this is, and will be blessedness indeed, the very essence of it, from whence peace will flow like a river, and real, permament, lasting, yea everlasting happiness.

The Lord Jesus speaks most sweetly to you in the eighth chapter of the Proverbs: he there bids very high for the chief place in your heart and affections. All that you can possibly conceive of real happiness, let it consist in life, riches, honour, pleasure, or what not, it is to be found in Jesus, to be received from him, and enjoyed in communion with him. He hath every blessing in his fulness, he hath it all to bestow, and he will bestow it on you, if it be given you to obey his divine command, in which he says,

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My son, give me thine heart." He says, and it is precious, "I love them that love me, and they that seek me early shall be sure to find me."

Christ's love is heaven. His love is prior to our love of him; but he is thus pleased to express himself, that he may quicken and allure our hearts, and draw and fix them on himself, with a supreme affection and valuation of his person. of his person. He adds, " My fruit