173 Review Conversations on Geology. leading the sap down into the roots, while summer calls it up into the branches, and displays it in the blossoms and the fruit !" From pupils of the Plymouth school, we might have expected such ominous intimations, but we were not prepared to receive them from the rev, Mr. Jay, of Bath. The memoir itself is that of a pious lady, of strong natural understanding, and a more than common share of learning derived from education. The materials of which this volume is composed, are taken chiefly from a diary, which she regularly kept during several years. In this diary, we find many expressions and peculiar turns of thought, that furnish strong indications of superior talent and intellectual vigour, accompanied and guided in all their movements by an exalted piety, and a genuine devotedness to God. The diary, we are informed in the advertisement, consists of many volumes, consequently the extracts transplanted into this memoir are comparatively few. In several instances also, the biographer has been obliged to seize the materials rather than the language, in order that distant parts might have some connecting links. By this means the whole appears unbroken and consistent, although many sentiments of Mrs. Savage are concealed from view. Several other articles contained in this volume tend to increase the interest it is calculated to excite. A short sermon by Mr. Philip Henry, copied from the diary, will be perused with much pleasure. The Appendix is full of interesting matter, which has a bearing either upon the subject of this memoir, or her family connexions. At the conclusion, we have a brief sketch of the life and character of Mrs. Hulton, a younger sister of Mrs. Savage, written by her brother, the rev. Matthew Henry. It is a pleasing narrative, full of pious sentiments, expressed in plain and appropriate language. This volume, taken as a whole, is a valuable piece of religious biography, which ought neither to be consigned to oblivion, nor suffered to slumber among the wrecks which time has left behind him in his march; and in thus bringing it before the public in its present, form, Mr. Williams has conferred a favour on the truly pious of all denominations. REVIEW. Conversations on Geology, comprising a familiar Explanation of the Huttonian and Wernerian Systems; the Mosaic Geology, as explained by Mr. 174 Granville Penn; and the late Discoveries of Professor Buckland, Hum boldt, Dr. Macclough, and others. 12mo. pp. 393. Maunder. London. 1828. Ir is only of late years that geology has been honoured with a niche in the temple of science, or that a knowledge of its principles and outlines has been considered as a branch of ornamental education. Some crude and inconsistent conjectures blended themselves with the various theories of the earth, that have been published to the world; but not being founded on observation, experiment, and fact, the premises, which were hypothetical and uncertain, invariably led to conclusions that were erroneous and absurd. The dawn of scientific knowledge, however, which of late visited the civilized world, has extended its light to this department of useful investigation, and, as the natural result of unremitting inquiry, we have obtained an almost intimate acquaintance with the various strata that constitute the surface of our globe. But while scientific knowledge has been thus extending her empire, it is to be regretted that some few, while tracing the connexion between cause and effect, "-having found the instrument, forget, We are not aware that the study of geology has ever made either an atheist or an infidel; but there can be little doubt, that atheisin and infidelity have led several to the study of geology, in order that they might find reasons to contradict the Mosaic account of creation, if not altogether to exclude God from all connexion with his works. It is with no better design than this, that "-some drill and bore COWFER. But amidst these gloomy prostitutions of scientific acquirements, it is pleasing to observe, that a far greater number, blessed with superior acuteness of intellect, and far more extensive learning, have prosecuted their researches in these geological regions, under the influence of very different motives; and, as might naturally be expected, their inquiries have led to an opposite result. They have seen the finger of Deity, where others discovered nothing but chemical affinities, and found the me morials of Moses confirmed by an appeal to fact. Science, thus subserving the Cause of Revelation, becomes doubly amiable 175 Review.On the Mischiefs of Self-Ignorance. we admire her intrinsic excellence, and rejoice in the alliance which she forms with the word of God, 176 embedded in yellow limestone, has in it something more solemnly attractive. On the whole, we think this book will form a valuable acquisition to the juvenilę library, being every way calculated to impart ra tional amusement, and valuable instruction to the inquiring mind. Of this latter description is the volume now before us. It does not enter into the depths which others have explored, nor expatiate on propositions of doubtful import. It seizes on facts that are placed beyond the reach of dispute, and in pleas-REVIEW-On the Mischiefs of Self-Ig ing and familiar language places them before the pupil who requires instruction. The whole is laid out in the form of dialogues, in which Mrs. R. instructs her children by giving replies to such questions as they are led to ask. The difficult terms of science are fully explained, and frequently accompanied with some historical remark, that is at once elucidative, and calculated to make an impression on the youthful mind.. In its import and character, this may be considered as an elementary book, without sustaining the formality of the designation. It is at once adapted to the capacity of youth, and will be found highly serviceable to those of more mature years, who wish to become acquainted with the science of geology, but scarcely know how and where to begin. Of the various theories of the earth, by Burnett, Woodward, Whiston, Descartes, Leibnitz, Buffon, and several others, it contains a general outline, and introduces the reader to the two rival systems of Hutton and Werner, whose disciples reproach each other with being the friends either of Vulcan or Neptune, from their respective appeals to the agency either of fire or water. There are few articles connected with geology, on which this volume does not touch; but in most cases this is rather done with a design to communicate pleasing information, than to investigate the theories which are submitted to the reader's eye. The topics introduced into these conversations amount to nearly three hundred, which of course have rendered the author's observations both transient and superficial. This, however, can furnish no argument against the utility of the book. It is designed for learners, and in this station it supports its credit în a most respectable manner. Scattered among its pages, we find twelve engravings, all of which are immediately connected with the subjects of the volume. Some of these are neatly coloured, to produce a more striking effect, The skeleton of a gigantic antediluvian beast of prey, in connexion with its history, is particularly interesting; and that of a human being found in the island of Guadaloupe, norance, and the Benefits of Self-Ac quaintance, by Richard Baxter; with an Introductory Essay, by the Rev, David Young. 12mo. pp. 382. Whittaker, London, 1828, ,་, THE name of Richard Baxter is too for midable for criticism; and the sacred halo which surrounds his writings, will always guard them from violation by sacrilegious hands. Both the man and his productions have long since passed the ordeal, and such is their character, that they command our reverence without exciting our animadversions. In the introductory essay, Mr. Young enforces, by a variety of motives and con siderations, the necessity of self-knowledge, without which nothing that is truly noble, and worthy the exalted dignity of man, can be attained. This knowledge extends to his moral relation to God, and to his interests in eternity. Connecting this world with that which is to come, this knowledge will lead him to see the neces sity of a Saviour, and to value the rich provisions of the gospel. In short, it cannot be separated from the knowledge of the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. This essay is admirably adapted to introduce the treatise to which it is prefixed, and to prepare the reader for a profitable perusal of its con tents. 177 Review.Serious Reflections on Time and Eternity. necessities; and thereupon to perceive what is really best for us, and most agreeable to our case, is the first part of true, practical, saving knowledge." Throughout the whole, the same strong, nervous, and vigorous sentiment is every where perceptible. For this, indeed, all Mr. Baxter's writings are particularly remarkable. He never grows languid, and the resources of his mind appear to be inexhaustible. Many of his expressions embody incontrovertible axioms, which seem to flow spontaneously from his pen. It is the native element of his exalted spirit; always either soaring in a region, of which we scarcely know how to measure the elevation, or descending into depths, the profundity of which no common line can fathom. The diligence of Mr. Baxter was equal to his mental vigour and exalted piety. The labours of his pen amounted to one hundred and forty-five treatises, of which four were folios; seventy-three, quartos; forty-nine, octavos; and others of a smaller size. Having stood the test of more than one hundred and fifty years, many of these works still retain their ele. vated rank among the theological writings of the Christian world. Several times have they been reprinted in various forms, and we rejoice to find that the publishers of "Select Christian Authors" have given to this treatise a place in that valuable collection of sterling volumes, with which they are both enriching and ornamenting every Christian library. REVIEW. British Reformers. Treatises and Letters of Dr. Nicholas Ridley, John Philpot's Examination, Letters, &c. 12mo. pp. 432. Religious Tract Society. London. THE names of these veteran worthies that appear in the title-page, will carry sufficient evidence that nothing modern is to be expected in this volume; but they also give an assurance, that whatever may be wanting in novelty, will be amply supplied by sterling worth. Ridley and Philpot hold a conspicuous place in our list of martyrs, who counted their lives of less importance than the cause of God and truth. Their histories have been long before the world, and are therefore familiar to all who are conversant with the disastrous times in which they lived. The Religious Tract Society, uniformly engaged in circulating useful treatises, have selected from among the productions of our venerable reformers, some of the 122.--VOL IX. 178 writings of these two eminent servants of was rampant, and at large; he is now The examinations which Mr. Philpot underwent, as recorded in this volume, are disgustingly interesting. Few memorials display in more striking colours the strange perversion of intellect, and depravity of the human heart, taking shelter under the name of religion, than the dialogues before us. The man who can read them without feeling indignant, must possess something more than stoic apathy. In giving publicity to such barefaced iniquity on the one hand, and suffering virtue on the other, the Tract Society is acting a noble part towards pushing aside the mask with which many are attempting to hide the deformity of a visage which is too hideous to be seen without horror and disgust. To these treatises, now bound up in one volume, every friend of Protesttantism will earnestly wish an extensive circulation, and also do something to promote it among his neighbours and friends. REVIEW.-Serious Reflections on Time and Eternity. By John Shower, and on the Consideration of our Latter End, and other Contemplations, by Sir Matthew Hale, Knt. With an Introductory Essay by Thomas Chalmers, D.D. 12mo. pp. 366. Whit taker. London. 1828. REVIEWING in this number of the Imperial Magazine, another volume of "Select Christian Authors," we have briefly delineated, chiefly in the language of the Rev. David Young, the character and writings of Sir Matthew Hale. On this account it will be less necessary to enlarge on the work which is now before us, a considerable portion of which is derived N 179 Review.-Memoirs of the Rev. John Cooke, from the same source; and to both publications our previous observations are equally applicable. To this volume is prefixed a valuable essay by the Rev. Dr. Chalmers,—a gentleman whose talents, learning, and ardent zeal in the cause of Christianity, have rendered his name familiar to almost every reader. In this Essay, his language is strong, fervent, and commanding, embodying sentiments of the utmost importance to man; and communicating a vigorous impulse to the reflections and, contemplations which he recommends; and perhaps, we cannot more effectually characterize these productions of Mr. Shower and Sir Matthew Hale than by adopting the words of Dr. Chalmers, especially as they will furnish a favourable specimen of his mental vigour and unaffected eloquence. Adverting to the momentous truths of the gospel, and the necessity of realizing their influence on our hearts, Dr. Chalmers thus proceeds : "We cannot better enforce these solemn considerations on the minds of our readers, with the view of shutting them up to the faith that is in Christ, than by referring them to SHOWER'S Serious reflections on Time and Eternity,' and SIR MATTHEW HALE, 'On the Consideration of our Latter End." In Shower's excellent treatise, they will find the serious reflections of a mind, which, by the habit of solemn consideration, and the exercise of a vigorous faith, habitually felt the power and the reality of those important truths, respecting which, mankind in general maintain an obstinate, and almost incurable heedlessness. There is scarcely any form of words, or any mode of computation, or any point of contrast, which he has not employed, to give the reader a vivid and substantive impression of the littleness of Time, and the greatness of Eternity. The truths on which he insists, are truths of the plainest and most elementary kind; but, thoroughly aware that the practical consideration of them constitutes the essence of true wisdom, he endeavours, by the most forcible arguments, and the most touching appeals, and the most persuasive earnestness, to arrest mankind in their career of thoughtlessness and unconcern, and to turn their resolute and sustained attention to the consideration of their latter end, and so to number their days, that they may apply their hearts to that highest of all wisdom-a preparation for the coming eternity; and, with the real and tender solicitude of men in earnest, lay to heart those things that pertain to their everlasting peace, ere time be hid from their eyes. . "The Consideration of our Latter End,' and the other kindred pieces of Sir Matthew Hale, are not only marked by the same solemn earnestness, but possess all that graphic power of thought, and depth of experimental feeling, which characterise the writings of this extraordinary man. We have already adverted, in a former Essay, to the character and writings of this great and good man, which precludes the necessity of our entering into any farther exposition of them. But we cannot help observing, that if Sir Matthew Hale, whose genius and learning rendered him one of the most distinguished ornaments of his age, and whose character and wisdom still associate him, in England's best remembrances, with the noblest of her worthies, counted it a wisdom superior to all human learning, to consider his latter end-and if, amidst the numerous and important avocations of that high official station 180 which he occupied, rendered still more arduous and difficult by the anarchy and confusion of that revolutionary period in which he lived, this good man was not unmindful to address those monitory lessons to his countrymen, which we now present anew, as salutary admonitions to the present generation,-then have we a testimony to the worth and surpassing excellence of this wisdom, above all the acquisitions of science and philosophy, which cannot be disregarded without incurring the imputation of folly. Science and human learning we hold in high estimation, and let them be diffused throughout every corner of our land; but what we affirm is, that they do not meet the necessities of man's moral constitution. The man of science may be rich in all these acquisitions, and yet be destitute of that knowledge which forms a right preparation for glories of eternity; while the humble peasant, the duties of time, or a sound preparation for the whose mind has never been illumined with science, may be illustrious in wisdom of a sar higher order, and, by turning the consideration of his latter end to its right and practical use, may have attained to that knowledge in which the apostle determined alone to glory," the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and him cruci. fied."-p. xxiii-xxv.. REVIEW.-Memoirs and Select Remains of the late Rev. John Cooke, forty-three years Pastor of the Independent Church, Maidenhead, Berks. By George Redford, M. A. 8vo. pp. 622. Hurst and Co. London. 1828. THE size of this volume, when we first took it in hand for serious examination, presented to our view a forbidding aspect. We have been so much accustomed to the art and mystery of book-making, that this was suspected to be one of the common family; and that the author, to fill his pages, had introduced an unnecessary accumulation of foreign matter, not much less remote from his subject, than if he had given the height of St. Paul's, or enumerated the arches of Blackfriars' bridge. A nearer inspection, however, speedily dissipated these unfounded prejudices, and from first engrossing our attention, soon interested us in its details. The work comprises four grand divisions namely, I. The Memoir of Mr. Cooke: II. Facts and Anecdotes connected with his public Life; III. Select Remains; and, IV. Letters written to Different Individuals. The memoir, which includes the select remains, and occupies about one hundred and forty pages, is particularly interesting; the biographer having carefully avoided all prolixity in his narrative, and, while placing the character of Mr. Cooke in an amiable light, disdaining to insult his memory with extravagant praises, or fulsome panegyric. It is a clear and comprehensive memoir of a venerable and worthy minister, written by a gentleman who seems less attached to hyperbole than to truth. In no place is the picture over 181 -- Review. Memoirs of the Rev. John Cooke. ގ charged either with light that dazzles, or with shades that confound the reader. The delineation is such, that we are persuaded the friends of the deceased must approve, and such as the author, in any company, need not blush to own. The second part is not less amusing than it is instructive. It abounds with incidents, anecdotes, spirited conversations, remarkable facts, brief narratives, and singular interviews, in which every reader will feel a lively interest, without wishing that a single circumstance had been omitted. Under the article Anecdotes of Antinomianism, Mr. Cooke has recorded the following facts. "One of these characters, who never bridled his tongue, but deceived his own heart, observed to me, that he had not been troubled with a doubt of the safety of his state for fifteen years. this man was in the habit of lying, charging his bills twice, and putting articles into them which Yet his customers had never received. He was daily at the public house, railing against the best characters in the church, 'crucifying Christ afresh, and putting him to open shame.' He delighted in railing against practical religion, to which his conduct and conversation proved him a stranger. "A second, who was intoxicated three or four times a week, was cruel to his wife, and neglected his children, was continually complaining that I did not preach experimentally; that is, I did not preach his experience, as consistent with the character of a Christian. A third left my ministry, as himself informed 182 wishes to act disdain, and, turning his head aside with a sneer, as unworthy of his pretension to superior knowledge, as it was of his ministerial character, he said, 'You fool, you fool, you know nothing at all about it-that commandment, sirwhy, that, sir, is God the Father speaking to Christ the Son. "At this extraordinary discovery, Mr. C. could not refrain from expressing his astonishment, and begged to know how this infallible dogmatist could make this sense plausible. The explana tion he received was this: 'I tell you it is God the Father speaking to Christ the Son :-'thou shalt not covet,'-that is, none of the reprobatethou shalt be satisfied with the elect.' This was less to argue with such an opponent; but as quite sufficient for Mr. Cooke. He found it hope. speedily as possible he wished his oracle good day."-p. 52. In a subsequent page we have some judicious remarks on the death of Mr. Huntington, in which his excellencies and defects are fairly contrasted, though it cannot be denied, that the scale greatly preponderates in favour of the latter. His acquaintance with the scriptures was almost unparalleled, against which we find many heavy buts. It is one great advantage to this work, that in the portion entitled "Facts and Anecdotes," and also in the "Select Remains," the sections are brief and greatly diversified; on which account, although the volume is large, the reader is not likely either to find it tedious, or to grow weary me, because he found no encouragement to hope in passing through its pages. There is for mercy. He lived in adultery with his wife's sister; and had read the Bible twice from Genesis to Revelation, in search of some passage to countenance his conduct. His last words to me were, The meeting is too hot for me, I cannot stand it.' "A fourth left me, because, when I preached against extortionate charges, the indulgence of pride, passion, lying, and misrepresentation, swear. ing, and scandal; he said I was personal in preach-lowing in regular succession. The "Select ing. was A fifth complained that I was personal, because I remarked, that drinking to excess worse in a woman than a man; charged me with personality, and added, I am sure you meant me. A sixth was offended when I preached against covetousness, and illustrated its fatal effects in the conduct of Judas: he was sure I aimed at him.”— p. 114. When young in the ministry, Mr. Cooke formed an acquaintance with the late notorious William Huntington; but the disgusting dogmatism of the latter prevented it from either ripening into intimacy, or being of long continuance. The occasion of their separation is thus stated by his biographer. "At length Mr. Cooke asked the dogmatical divine his opinion of the tenth commandment, par ticularly he meant as to its extensive application to the indulgence of desires and wishes for vari ous things which the Providence of God had de nied us. He especially asked Mr. Huntington, whether he did not think that Christians frequently violated this commandment, by wishing for what they did not possess, or by being discon tented with their lot: Mr. H., who was a master of sarcasm, at these words of the inquiring youth, drew himself up in his seat, into that kind of stiff erect position, which the body assumes when it an enlivening spirit infused into its narrations, dialogues, and incidents, that will always prevent attention from growing languid, accompanied with a supply and promise of something new constantly fol Remains" contain no less than one hundred and eighty-four articles, among which are many subjects that are at all times important, and on most occasions Mr. Cooke's thoughts on them are particularly weighty and interesting. In the concluding part of the volume, about one hundred and fifty pages are occupied with letters. These, though excellent in themselves, might have been omitted without doing the work any injury. It must, however, be admitted, that they exhibit their author to great advantage, shewing at once the vigour of his intellectual powers, the predominant features of his mind, and the spirit of vivacious, yet placid dignity, which seems to have per vaded all his compositions. But, notwithstanding those excellencies, every knows, that letters are always most interesting when in the hands of the person to whom they were written. Their spirit evaporates when they are transcribed, and in passing to a second or third person, they generally appear to a disadvantage. one |