liable to any interruption. The study will, by constant use, be kept warm and comfortable; and those things that frequently detain a minister from the scene of his constant duties, such as the fire being out and the room being cold and dreary, will not occur. If all the family be taught to retire when the hour of private devotion arrives, it will be at once a useful monition to the chief tenant of the study, and a constant lesson to the others to enter into their closet and shut their door about them, and pray to their Father who seeth in secret. In those counties where it is the custom to keep in a fire all night, the study should, by all means, have that advantage; and in others the fire may be suffered to expire early enough to be prepared for the next morning, that the minister may kindle it himself; by which he would be rendered independent, and saved from that temptation to waste his time in bed, that arises from the plea that the morning is cold and the servant has not yet lighted the fire. For it is rather unreasonable to expect that a servant, who has, perhaps, been fatigued the day before, should always have a fire prepared before the hour when a hard student would wish to be in his closet.

"Towards the close of life, Dr. Bogue seems to have begun to adopt these views; not by turning the study into a parlour, but by turning the parlour into a study. His own workshop was too comfortless to invite his family; but he brought his books and papers down, and pursued his labours where they were sitting, doubtless much to the comfort of both parties.

"Dr. Bogue's preparations for the pulpit consisted greatly in the study of the sacred Scriptures, which he expounded on one part of every Lord's day. For this exercise he read all the best expositors he could obtain, studying their works with great care. He valued expositions of particular books of Scripture above almost all other works of theology; for they are likely to be far more satisfactory than commentaries upon the whole Bible, and to contain more fair catholic truth than systematic bodies of divinity.

"Dr. Bogue's early method of exposition was so minute as to approach too nearly to preaching, by which it precluded all hope of expounding a great part of the Bible. This he afterwards saw and felt; and as few men were less wedded to custom, or more open to improvement, he adopted, towards the close of life, a more lively method, and thus expounded a greater proportion of the sacred books. But he never gave occasion to the strange suspicion, that a minister recurs to expo

sition to relieve himself from the labour of preaching; for such an idea cannot prevail, without reflecting immense disgrace either on the minister or his flock, or on both. If the pastor is faithful to his trust, exposition will be the most laborious of his public exercises; and if his hearers do not perceive it, and value it accordingly, they must be amazingly dull. It is to the honour of the Scotch, that they excel in exposition, which is, on the north of the Tweed, called lecturing, and is there held in high estimation, as one of the most profitable exercises of the public service of the church."-pp. 409--414.

"He was eminently entitled to say with the Apostle, that he was in labours more abundant. He laboured much with his own heart. His pursuit of study was indefatigable. As a minister of the Gospel, he toiled with conscientious diligence for the edification of the flock. If he beard of ministers laying aside assiduous preparation for the pulpit, as no longer necessary, he protested against the false assumption, contending that to the end of our days we should study to show ourselves workmen that need not to be ashamed.' In the tutor's chair he never sat easy but when he was improving his resources for the benefit of the students. In the county, the care of all the churches seemed to devolve on him, for he was often called to provide for their pulpits; and he cherished the association with paternal care. The interest he took in the affairs of missions and the kingdom of Christ to the ends of the earth, is of such notoriety as scarcely to need mention; and the journeys he took in that cause are known to have been extensive and laborious. The correspondence which his several offices drew upon him he never shunned; and though his letters contain nothing recherché, they were copious and full of wisdom. His labours for the press will require a distinct review.

"It may naturally be asked, bow he found time for all these labours? The answer must be, he found time where we lose it. He was always at work; for it was a maxim with him, that Christians should wait for their rest till they arrive at their home. He was practically impressed with the necessity of being what he called a painstaking man. He used to say, we should be always learning, because we are always forgetting. His midnight studies were not a vain effort to repair the faults and atone for the negligence of the day: for all day long he was at work. Sixteen hours a day he laboured for God. If he were called out of his study, he would go down with a pen in his mouth, to remind his visitors that they must not detain him;

or with a book in his hand, that he might improve any vacant moments that should occur."-- pp. 419, 420.

We could multiply extracts, which would both instruct and gratify our readers; but most of them will peruse the book. It is a volume of great interest, in reference to the revival of religion at home, and its promotion abroad. It records the history of the man, who, more perhaps than any other individual now living, contributed to bring about this revival, and to rouse the church from its lethargy and its selfishness.

As it regards the author, he will receive, we hope in good part, two or three hints which, in the event of a re-publication, might subserve the general excellence of his performance. When nearly every thing is done to our entire satisfaction, we feel reluctant to point out little faults. Yet we feel confident, that the judgment of the public will go with us when we say, the course of the memoir is disturbed, and the effect weakened by the introduction of the biographies of the Doctor's sons, and by the long extracts from missionary sermons, &c. These would be all read with far greater interest in an appendix, and the narrative would then sustain no injury by being interrupted. We beg leave also to recommend the suppression of nearly all the French phrases. They add no embellishment to the style, and give the work a semblance of pedantry, which we are sure Dr. Bennett's sound sense and good taste would deprecate. "Transtweedian birth," p. 126—“ talking saucily to the most high," (p. 398), with some other expressions, might be superseded by an improved phraseology. At p. 197, a reference is made to Essays on Missions," fragments of which are said to be appended N. S. No. 38.

At

to this volume. We have searched carefully, and cannot discover them in any part of the volume we possess. An index, or enlarged table of contents would be a desirable appendage. p. 296, we meet with a very incautious sentence. Speaking of popery in France, the author calls it," a system more guilty and intolerent than Judaism, Paganism, Mahometanism, or Intidelity." The term, " Judaism," if strictly interpreted, signifies the revealed system of Moses, and, as such, ought not to have been strung together with paganism, Mahometanism, and infidelity; nor ought it to have been represented as guilty and intolerant. But if the author intended by Judaism, the corruptions only of the Mosaic laws by rabbinical and traditionary authority, he ought to have signified, that he used the term in this restricted sense. As the sentence now stands, it certainly conveys sentiments, which Dr. B. could not intend.

Although, from a sense of duty, we have ventured upon these criticisms, and must say in brief, that the style generally bears marks of haste, and needs careful revisionyet we would not have it supposed, that these imperfections interfere materially with the excellence of the work.

We consider the performance highly creditable to the judgment, the diligence, and the impartiality of Dr. Bennett. He has not hesitated to lay before the public the defects and errors of his revered friend and tutor. We believe he has given a faithful description, and has not suffered his friendship to interfere with the exercise of an independent and impartial judgment. We heartily recommend his work to general perusal.

N

IN INDIA.

(Continued from page 45.)

IN our last number, we presented our readers with some most important and affecting details respecting the idolatries and the abominations of India, and with certain views of the power which the British Government possesses over some of the cruel and disgusting practices which extensively prevail in that land of gods and of darkness. If the Honourable Company do not take some speedy steps to abolish suttees and the tax of Juggernaut, we trust there will speedily be addressed to the Legislature of this country, such a declaration of the public Christian mind of the land, as will compel the adoption of measures, dictated not less by justice, benevolence, and sound policy, than by the laws of God. That our Government possesses the power to abolish these enormities is unquestionable; and that it may safely exercise the power, no man can entertain any reasonable doubt, who reads the powerful and convincing statements of Mr. Poynder and Mr. Peggs. We trust, therefore, these subjects will never be lost sight of till the desirable and practicable consummation has been attained.

But alas! these are but a few of the many woes of India, and when the Government of Great Britain has done all in its power to heal them, there still remains behind ten thousand ills, for which the authorities of the earth can make no provision. These can be cured only by moral and Christian means, under the direction, not of the governments of this world, but of voluntary institutions, formed and guided by men of Christian principles. When we look at the extent of the field of labour,

the work, even when every obstacle has been taken away which can be removed by man, are so great, that without the promised interposition of the Divine Spirit, the undertaking would be most appalling and hopeless. We have no reason, however, to despair of success, if we only employ, with vigour, perseverance, and dependence on God, the means of his own appointment.

The measures employed for the benefit of India may be all classed under three heads-Preaching, Schools or Seminaries of Education, and the Press. It is obvious, at the same time, that these are not so properly three distinct or separate instruments, as the three-fold employment of one great power, directed to different states of the community, and destined to produce one grand common effect. Preaching without education may do much, and has done much for the world; but can only keep its hold on the community in connexion with general education. The press might do much, and the circulation of the Bible would do much alone; but would fail in the general diffusion of religion without preaching. All the means, therefore, must be employed, and plied with the utmost diligence, in order to produce the great effect we contemplate the universal diffusion of knowledge and religion in the

East.

general an impression on it, as the tenth part of that number, forming a few strong depots at the principal places, keeping up an incessant aggressive effort upon its dense and superstitious population. There is scarcely one mission possessed of sufficient strength in any part of India. What are the Missionaries of all parties in such a city as Calcutta ? What are two here, and three there, in the principal stations which are occupied? Death frequently sweeps away the most vigorous and devoted instrument, leaving his colleague, perhaps debilitated by the climate, and discouraged by what has taken place, to carry on a feeble and languishing effort on hundreds of thousands around him. Before the vacancy has been filled up, much ground has been lost, the work has to be begun again, and thus many years are passed without any extensive result arising.

One of the strongest missionstations in India, is Serampore, and it has rendered the most essential services to the cause of Christ, from the concentration of the forces which have been employed. The following extract from Dr. Marshman's pamphlet will show how matters are carried on there, and what we mean by making a powerful and persevering effort on leading points.

"In Serampore itself, the services on the Sabbath are in general six, three in English and three in Bengalec. Of the English services, the first is at the Danish church at nine in the morning, in which the Serampore brethren have preached for many years: the other two are at the Mission Chapel, at eleven in the morning and half-past seven in the evening. These are taken in rotation by Messrs. Carey, Marshman, Mack, and Swan. The Bengalee services are, one at the College at seven in the morning, at which the students attend, before they proceed to the other worship of the day, and another at four in the afternoon in the Mission

Chapel, which is attended by the native

servants, as well as the native brethren

and students. A meeting is also generally held on the Sabbath-day in the intervals of public worship, at the Mission-house, by Mrs. Marshman, for the special instruction of the native sisters. Beside these there is also occasionally a Sabbath evening lecture in a small chapel at Barrackpore, on the opposite side of the river, supplied chiefly by their brethren Mack and Swan.

"The native converts have long considered the propagation of Christianity to selves, and about five years since, a numbe an incumbent duty devolving on thember of those at Serampore began to exert themselves in a manner to which every

encouragement has been held forth. From Sabbath to Sabbath, a number of these native brethren go forth to proclaim the Gospel in the villages round Serampore, bearing the expenses of their exertions the evening, they meet alternately at each almost wholly themselves. Returning in

other's houses, at which one of the European brethren is generally present, when they relate the occurrences of the day, the conversations they have held, the encouragement or discouragement they have experienced, and implore the blessing of the Father of mercies on what has been attempted.

"The meetings held among the native brethren during the week also, tend much to keep alive a sense of divine things. Beside the Mission Chapel, they have three small places in different parts of Serampore, two of them near the dwelling-houses of native brethren, in which they assemble for prayer and social worship, inviting as many of their neighbours as they can persuade to be present: and, as some of the native sisters can read the hold meetings among themselves for the Scriptures with great fluency, they also

sake of reading the divine word, and en

gaging in prayer and praise."-pp. 34, 35.

While adverting to Serampore, and expressing our approbation of the means which have been so successfully employed at it, we cannot help expressing our deep, though we fear now unavailing regrets, at the change which has recently taken place. It is not our intention to enter into the dispute between the Society and the Missionaries; but we must be allowed to say, that had the reasonings and declarations of the Missionaries now ad

vanced by Dr. Marshman been brought forward at an earlier period, Serampore would never have been what it now is. We must say, that our understanding of the footing on which matters stood was altogether different from the representation now given; and the Missionaries, in dissolving the connexion between themselves and the parent Society, and claiming to be the sole arbiters of the property at Serampore, have incurred a responsibility of the weightiest kind; the necessity of which has not yet been made apparent, and the justice of which has not been satisfactorily shown. "Let no man glory in men."

In India and the Ultra Ganges, we have now several colleges; the one at Serampore, to which we have adverted; Bishop's College, at Calcutta; the institution at Malacca, founded by Dr. Morrison; an attempt to establish one at Bengalore, by Messrs. Laidler and Massie, formerly connected with the London Missionary Society; and one in Ceylon, by the American Missionaries. We are friendly to the cause of literature and science, as well as that of religion; but we have our doubts whether, in the present state of Christian missions in the eastern world, Colleges are the most appropriate means of propagating divine truth. It is only as a part of the apparatus of diffusing Christianity that we are now speaking of them. The raising up of native teachers, we hold not only to be a most important part of the plan of evangelization, but to be so essential to the establishment of the Gospel, that we must ultimately fail in all our efforts, if it is not attended to. This, how ever, may be carried on to a great extent without the imposing display of collegiate establishments. That they may and will grow out

of the successful diffusion of the Gospel we are persuaded; but in the first instance, we do not think them either necessary or wise.

The volume by Messrs. Laidler and Massie, contains some documents of considerable interest, though we think their college scheme, under the circumstances in which they were placed, injudicious. It was premature, too extensive, and, in some of its principles, erroneous, or imperfectly digested. We believe its authors to have meant well; but they aimed at too much, were too lofty in their pretensions, and too sanguine in their expectations. The plan of the College commenced at Bangalore, as published in this volume, cannot be approved by judicious persons, and the embarrassments in which it involved its projectors, and which has rendered the whole affair, we fear, abortive, clearly show, that the object was brought forward without sufficient consideration of all the difficulties which its accomplishment involved. We say this with the most perfect good feeling towards the projec tors, to whose motives, but not to whose judgments, we give full credit.

The volume is made up of eight documents; the first of which, by Samuel Flavel; a native, will be read with interest. We shall extract the greater part of his account of himself, which our readers will be pleased with.

"When I found the four Gospels under the tree in my own language, whilst 1 lived in Ceylon, I read them, and I believed what I read, and I was convinced that all my religion and the religion of my father was great folly. I was convinced of this before I had finished reading the ninth chapter of Matthew. I soon learned to cry to God in prayer, but all my thoughts and way of serving God were very childish: I greatly wanted some person to teach me how to understand this book: I made