THE GREAT REDEMPTION: an Essay on the Mediatorial System. By WILLIAM LEASK. pp. 346. London: B. L. Green.

There is much that is excellent in this volume. The style is clear, and often beautiful; the theology is evangelical, of the modern Calvinistic school, and free from all the dark and terrific shadows of the Genevan doctor. Redemption is contemplated not only as a system of human recovery, but as a sublime manifestation of the moral perfections of the Deity, and is viewed in its various and extensive relations, not only to the inhabitants of our planet, but the whole intelligent universe, and to the interests of eternity as well as time. The plan of the worthy author, and its execution, indicate, we think, that he has profited by the masterly thoughts of Dr. Harris, in his "Pre-Adamite Earth.” As the field is extensive, the notice on each topic is necessarily brief, and often partakes rather of the character of an elegant dissertation, than a profound and elaborate argument. In page 33, the Redeemer is said to be called Menna in the Jerusalem Targum. As no such term is ascribed to our Lord in the Targums, this, we think, must be a typographical error, for Memra.

We demur to Mr. Leask's definition and application of the sovereignty of God. He opposes sovereignty to justice, and makes it identical with goodness and mercy, or the right of bestowing blessings where no blessings are deserved; and asserts that, "If all men were holy, there would be no room for the exercise of sovereignty; for equity would require that all should be happy." We deem this representation defective and incorrect. Wisdom, equity, and holiness, and all the perfections of God are as much identified with sovereignty as love and mercy. What, indeed, is the sovereignty of God but his absolute supremacy over all his creatures, and his right to dispose of them as he pleases? But this right is not arbitrary, though absolute; nor is it guided and directed by mere mercy or compassion, but by wisdom, justice, holiness, and all Jehovah's moral perfections. In worlds where sin has never entered, if such there bo, his sovereignty, his absolute supremacy, his immutable right to govern and dispose of his creatures, is exercised equally, as it is in this fallen world. What has constituted that variety in the nature, the attributes, the stations, D

and the conditions of the holy beings constituting the celestial hierarchy, but the sovereignty of God? Yet these beings never sinned, and, consequently, are not under any dispensation of mercy.

In Section VII. Chap. viii. Mr. Leask advocates the Pre-millenial advent of our Lord, but as he does not attempt a scriptural proof of this doctrine, we pass over it, by merely observing that if the subject were deemed so important as to occupy a whole section in the pages of "the Great Redemption," it would not have been unfitting to give the reader a foundation for this theory.

While honesty compels us to offer these strictures, we are by the same principle compelled to acknowledge that the volume is, on the whole, a very respectable production; and calculated to afford both edification and instruction, especially to the intelligent youth of Congregational churches.

VOICES FROM THE GARDEN; or the Christian Language of Flowers. 12mo. pp. 38; stiff covers. London: Partridge and Oakey.

We

We have read these poems with inexpressible delight. The comparisons, similitudes, and analogies are natural, appropriate, and expressive; the sentiments are pure, dignified, and Christian; and the poetry is of a superior order. There is here and there a simple negligence and rusticity in the verbiage, but there is the soul of poetry. never read a poetical work of the same size richer in sentiment, more fraught with solid thinking, or better adapted to convey sound instruction to the heart. If such be the Language of Flowers, as it undoubtedly is, then these fair daughters of the field and the garden were intended to improve man's heart, as well as to please the eye and regale the senses. Happy is he whose mind is so perfectly in harmony with nature and nature's God, that he can hear his Maker's voice, and read his Maker's will, in all the objects which meet his view.

SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY. By the Rev. J. YOUNG, M.A. London: Thomas Dean and Son.

The objects here described are twentyfour in number. The author's observations on each are brief, but so far as they extend, they furnish information which will assist the juvenile reader of the sacred Scriptures.

MRS. MARY ANN JONES.

TIVIDALE, (DUDLEY CIRCUIT.) THE subject of this brief sketch was born at Smethwick, near Birmingham, June 10th, 1814. Her parents were honest and industrious, but not pious. They sent their children to the Sabbath school belonging to the Independent chapel in Smethwick, where our sister received those serious impressions which, though weakened for a time, were afterwards revived. Like too many, when she left the school she was led away by the folly and vanity of this world, a fact which shows how necessary it is for young people to cherish the gracious impressions which are made on their minds, and to be on their guard against losing them. On the 27th of June, 1831, our sister entered into the marriage state with Mr. John Jones, who has sustained a heavy loss in her removal, but who feels that the grace of God is sufficient for him. Shortly after her marriage, the teachers and friends of the school before mentioned held a tea party, to which they invited those who had been scholars in the school and had left. Our sister went, and was presented with a copy of the Rev. John Angell James' "Anxious Inquirer,” the reading of which had a good effect on her mind. In November, 1834, her sister Lydia died, not having recovered from her confinement; and when, sixteen months after, her father departed this life she took to Lydia's orphan boy, who had been with her parents before, and brought him up as her own. the month of March, 1838, her brother Thomas received a fatal injury one Sabbath about midnight, on the Birmingham and Liverpool railway. accident occurred near Birmingham, and was caused by two engines coming in contact. The deceased, who was cmployed by the railway company, survived only till the following Tuesday. His death had a powerful influence on her mind, and led her to think about her own soul. About this time she began to attend the place in which our Tividale friends then worshipped. The word preached was made a blessing to her soul. She joined the society, and received her first ticket from the Rev. G. Goodall, who was then in the Circuit, and for whom she had a high regard. Having been urged by Mr. G. not to rest until she had obtained the

In

The

witness of the Spirit, she continued to seek this great blessing till one Sabbath, when Mr. R. Dutton, of Oldbury, then a very useful local preacher, was appointed to preach at Tividale. The Lord gave him great power both in prayer and preaching; but still our sister did not obtain the blessing for which she sought while she remained in the room. On leaving, Mr. D. urged her to be fully decided. He explained the way of salvation to be "repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." After leaving him, she retired for prayer, and while she was engaged in that duty she with a broken and contrite heart was enabled to look to Christ, and to cast her soul by faith on her crucified Redeemer. She believed with the heart unto righteousness, and received the forgiveness of her sins. She felt that, being justified by faith, she had peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Her heart was filled with joy and gladness. "I have often," says her husband," heard her refer to the time with delight." She was ardently attached to all the means of grace, especially the class meeting, which she found very profitable to her soul. In her deportment she was steady and consistent. To say that she was faultless would be tantamount to saying that she was more than human. She was naturally of a hasty turn of mind, but she always went with her faults and failings to the Lord, and sought for mercy and grace at his hands, and rested not till she found a sense of forgiving love. Till the last year of her life there was no probability of her having any family, though she had entreated the Lord in reference to this matter. He, however, at length heard her prayer. At this time the tongue of slander was employed against her, which was a great grief to her mind, but on her dying-bed she expressed her forgiveness of all those who had spoken against her and attempted to injure her character. On Tuesday, the 16th of January, 1849, she was taken ill, and after extreme pain and sufferings, she gave birth, on Friday, the 19th, to a fine girl, but still-born. To the great surprise of all who knew her sufferings she appeared to do well for several days, but, at her own request, on the following Friday, a second medical attendant was called in, who expressed his fears as to her recovery, apprehending that inflammation would probably take place.

I

her shoes, when, although she had a pair of strong worsted stockings on, she seems to have taken cold. On the Saturday morning she was worse. sent for the doctor, who said he thought that would have been the last time he should have to come, but your wife,' said he, has been out of her room and thrown herself quite back again.' She seemed better on the Sunday afternoon, but said to me that it would be a hard struggle now. At night several friends called to see her. Brother W. Davy prayed with her, and she seemed to be happy. When her sister came for the purpose of sitting up with her, and informed her how our friends at Dudley Port were singing as she passed the chapel, she replied, "O how I long to sing!' To Mrs. Pratt she said, "The enemy wants to frighten me now I am so weak, when you are not in the room, but he shan't.' I said, No; our Jesus is an almighty Friend. She replied. 'O yes.' She slept very well till four in the morning, when I was called up. She was then very ill, and breathed with great difficulty. She again fell asleep, and at six I was called a second time. She was much worse, and wished me to fetch the doctor. I went and some medicine was sent, but to the surprise of all, about eight o'clock, (I shall never forget that solemn moment,) without a sigh or a groan her happy spirit fled. This was on the nineteenth of February, 1849, in the thirty-fifth year of her age. According to her request, she was carried by her christian friends, and was interred in the burial ground belonging to our chapel in Dudley. The remains of the babe were placed upon her own, there to rest till the morning of the resurrection. O may her prayer be answered, be answered in her death being made a blessing to the living."

Our departed sister highly esteemed the preachers of the Gospel, and whether local or itinerant hailed them as welcome visitors. She delighted in reading the Scriptures, and was much devoted to prayer. Her death was improved on the 18th of March, by the Rev. W. Burrows, to a very crowded and deeply affected audience. T. RIDGE.

MARY WOOLRICH, BURSLEM, HANLEY CIRCUIT. WHEN the humble followers of Jesus, who have honourably served their day and generation, are removed from this vale of tears, it is only justice to their

services to present to the public a brief memorial of departed worth.

The following very imperfect sketch has been drawn up by one who had the pleasure of knowing the dear departed, and who would thus pay her feeble tribute to her memory, while at the same time she complies with the wishes of her friends.

Mary Wigley was the maiden name of our late Sister Woolrich. She was born at Foxhall Farm, near Ashbourne, in Derbyshire, September 13th, 1805. There appears something remarkable in her conversion. She was in early life brought under the sound of the glorious Gospel of the blessed God; and being naturally of a very thoughtful and serious cast of mind, the truths she heard soon became deeply impressed upon her young and tender heart, and her soul gradually turned towards God, like the opening flower towards the sun.

In 1830 she decided to cast in her lot with the excellent of the earth, and became a member of the Wesleyan society in Brighton, and received her first ticket in the latter end of the same year. She pursued a steady, even course, until changed circumstances induced her to remove from that neighbourhood.

In February, 1840, she became the wife of her now bereaved and sorrowing partner. She then saw it her duty to go where her husband went, and joined the Methodist New Connexion in Burslem. This was a happy union-marrying in the Lord, his blessing was upon them. Often has the bereaved husband been heard to say that, during the whole period of their marriage, they never had an angry word with each other.

Her piety, especially towards the close of life, was deep and growing. But we may better judge of the state of her mind, and the calm preparation that was going on in her soul previous to the fatal stroke which so quickly removed her from our little Bethel to her Father's house, from an extract or two from her letters.

Writing to a dear sister on the 6th of May, 1849, she thus expresses herself, alluding to the death of a relative: "I am sorry to hear of the death of poor Mrs. Wigley. How uncertain is life, and how certain is death! Perhaps some of us may die next; we know not what a day, nay an hour, may bring forth. These are loud calls for us to be

ready. God grant that we may be making preparation for it."

In another letter to her dear sister

in Liverpool, awhile before her death, she says: "I am so glad to hear you meet in class now. I seldom forget you and your dear family when I approach my heavenly Father; and if my unworthy prayers are heard on your behalf, you will yet see better days. But if not, it will not be for long ere we shall be removed from this stage of action; and I hope and pray that we may meet those that are gone before, and have "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

she

In the same communication writes: "I should much like to see you, for I have much to tell you; but God only knows if we shall ever be permitted to see each other again, for I have felt quite old in constitution of late; I can do very little in household affairs; so little seems to fatigue me. I have a a great deal of palpitation at the heart." On the Tuesday night before her death, she remarked to a female friend, "You and I are past the meridian of life; how needful, then, for us to be prepared to meet God, whom I trust we shall meet with joy and comfort!"

The interest she took in the Redeemer's cause and her attachment to the sanctuary were very striking. Never was she known to be absent, except through illness or some unavoidable circumstance. Indeed, so punctual to the time, it was her custom to be in the house of God five minutes before the time of public worship. She was the friend of ministers, esteeming them highly in love for their work's sake. Often in conversation and correspondence has she given expression of her attachment to the ministry, as will be seen from the following.

In one of the letters mentioned she writes: "Our privileges here are very great. We have first-rate, talented, and faithful preachers. I hope we shall make good use of them, or much greater will be our condemnation. We are doing well in our society. We have had revival services for several weeks back, and a good and glorious work has been going on throughout all our societies in the Potteries. Scores have have been brought to God. My dear husband has commenced a class on a Sunday afternoon. When he began he had six, but last Sunday he had thirtynine. I meet with him. You must think on us on a Sunday afternoon, at half-past two o'clock. Mr. W. has begun another class on a Tuesday evening, which is very promising.'

Another time when writing to her

sister she says: "I have very little time for writing now; I am very much engaged at chapel. O how I wish you had been with us! We have again been holding revival services, and the Lord is making bare his arm amongst us at Burslem, saving many souls. I hear there are some hundreds on trial; thirty-five were publicly received last night here. It was a glorious sight." In the same communication she writes: "We have had an excellent discourse this morning by the Rev. W. Cooke, from Daniel ii. third and four following verses. To-night we are to have our beloved minister the Rev. T. Boy

cott. The subject is to be the Sunday school teachers' harvest."

Mrs. W. was a modest, unassuming Christian; a silent professor; more abundant in works than in words. She was given to hospitality and to acts of kindness, practically exemplifying that Divine maxim, "Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth."

Order and cleanliness were prominent features in her character. Doubtless she was not exempt from failings and imperfections, but her good qualities were pre-eminent.

Mrs. Woolrich had not enjoyed very good health for a month or two previous to her demise, but was generally able to attend to domestic duties and go as usual to the house of God. She had had medical advice, and the doctor had said she perhaps might die suddenly. So it proved; for, perhaps, never was the uncertainty of life more strikingly manifest.

On the 23rd of September, 1849, being the Sabbath day, she had been anticipating its arrival with great joy. Being the anniversary of the chapel, she had left her home in the morning quite as well as usual, entered the chapel five minutes before the time; had just been asking a blessing on the coming service, when on sitting down her dear husband noticed her head drop very suddenly. He with others immediately raised her up and carried her into the vestry; but the "vital spark" had fled, death's icy hand had touched her, and her happy spirit had winged its way to enjoy sabbatic delights with those who are continually chanting the praises of him who had washed them in his precious blood.

No parting pang was experienced by her; no tear of affection and sympathy witnessed by her. So quick and easy was her passage from this wilderness to her sweet home, that she could scarcely