Christian Memoirs, in the form of a New Pilgrimage to the Heavenly Jerusalem; containing, by way of Allegorical Narrative, a great variety of Dialogues on the most interesting subjects. ByW. Shrubsole. 3d edit. corrected, with the Author's Life, Svo, 78.; 12mo, 48.

ALLEGORICAL Writing is confessedly the most difficult species of composition. It requires the exercise of a sound judgment and a correct taste; and if it be not well executed, it excites disgust rather than affords delight. A few, a very few authors, have been eminently successful. To such persons the tribute of public esteem has been liberally paid; and to none more deservedly than to honest John Bunyan, whose Pilgrim has been, for more than a century, the admiration of the Christian world. His success

has created a thousand imitators; few of whom have risen to medio

crity; and many have sunk beneath contempt. But Mr. Shrubsole has succeeded far better than most of our allegorical writers, of which this third edition of his Christian Memoirs is, at least, a presumptive proof.

This writer has avowedly taken the Pilgrim's Progress as the model of his work; but he bas adapted it to modern times; and has introduced a great variety of characters, among whom are the following: Probus, Resolute, Friendly, and Sincere, represent four different dispositions of real Christians. Deist, Arius, and Socinus are introduced, in order to expose their several errors; as are also Dr. Tinkle, Dr. Knowall, and Duplex. For the same purposes the author gives us the characters of Dr. Decree, Dr. Flippunt, Mr. Demure, &c. The zealous ministers of the gospel are represented under the names of Fervidus (Mr. Whitfield) who makes a very conspicuous fi gure in the work; Clericus, Apollos, Liberal, Hearty, and others. The lukewarm professor, the presumptuous professor, the Antinomian professor, are exposed under appro

priate titles; while the steady, uníform, lively Christian, is represented by such characters as Candidus, Newman, Serious, Valiant, Ardent, &c. &c.

Mr. Shrubsole was well acquainted with religion, and with the religious world; and he has drawn, with considerable ability, a picture of his own times, which may be surveyed with pleasure and profit by the spiritual spectator, and particularly by those who were acquainted with the then living characters. In short, to use the words of a former reviewer, "There is scarcely any religious character which is not appositely introduced; nor any evangelical truth but what is scripturally recommended; nor any fundamental error but what is judiciously exposed." What the author says, in his preface, he aimed at, we think he has accomplished in a considerable degree.

I have been solicitous to enforce the fundamental principles of the gospel; to discountenance bigotry to any form of worship, or non-essential points of doctrine; and warmly to recommend love, candour, and communion, to those of every party who hold the doctrines of grace, and possess the life and power of Christianity."

This edition, besides being printed in a very handsome manner, is enriched with an interesting life of the author, and a preface, which do honour to the filial piety of his son.

The work is certainly full of entertainment, and well calculated to communicate valuable instruction, especially to young minds, in the pleasing vehicle of amusement.

A Sermon preached at St. Ann's, Blackfriars, May 19, 1807, before the Society for Missions to Africa and the East, by the Rev. Basil Woodd, M. A. with the Report of the Committee, &c. 8vo, Is.

Mr.Woob founds his discourse on Isa. xl. 5, "The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it" from

which animating prophecy he considers, 1, The glory of the Lord: 2, The Revelation of that glory: 3, The extent of that Revelation: 4, Its certainty and, 5, The duty of Missionary exertions, in order to promote it. Under the last head, he pleads, in a pathetic manner, the cause of missions; and, in the conclusion, expresses his good wishes for the various societies embarked in this great cause, in terms which do much honour to his Christian candour.

The Report, which follows this sermon, states, that three of their Missionaries who had been sent from England, in the course of the last year, had arrived at Sierra Leone in the month of September. They found one of the Missionaries who had preceded them, still fully occupied with attending to the spiritual concerns of the colony. The other had employed a part of his time in making excursions into the adjacent country, which afforded him the opportunity of perfecting his knowledge of the Susoo language, and of selecting a proper station for the permanent establishment of the Mission. The number of Missionaries being now enlarged, four of them (one of whom, however, has since withdrawn himself from the service) were about to proceed to the Rio Pongas, in order to fix themselves under the wing of a friendly Susoo chief, one of whose sons had been educated at Clapham; and, it is hoped, had learnt to appreciate the benefits of instruction.

With a view to the preparation of young men for the Missionary service, a seminary has been formed in this country, which is placed under the eye of several clergymen, and under the immediate superintendence of a gentleman who, to his other qualifications, adds a personal acquaintance with Africa. To this seminary three young men were about to he removed from the institution at Berlin. That institution, notwithstanding the calamities which Prussia has experienced, still subsists, and contains twelve students. To Mr. Jericke, the superintendent, who had been deprived of the chief

part of his income by the presence of the French, the Committee, in consideration of his services to the society, has sent fifty pounds. The sum of two hundred pounds has been transmitted to Calcutta, in order to promote the translation of the scriptures into the languages of the East; which is now proceeding at that place.

The committee conclude with expressing a hope, that their design, with respect to Africa, will be greatly promoted by two recent oceurrences, the Abolition of the Slave Trade, and the Formation of the African Institution.

Four Sermons, preached al the General Meeting of the Missionary Society, in May, 1807.-Price 2s. 6d.

[Concluded from our last.]

In our last Number we gave an analytical review of two of the Sermons preached before the Missionary Society at their last anniversary; we now proceed to notice the latter two.

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Mr. Griffin's discourse, which was delivered at Tottenham Court Chapel, is entitled "The signs of the times favourable to the cause of missions," and the text chosen for this subject is, Psalm cii. 13. "Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion; for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.' "Mr. Griffin's object is to discuss the following question: Why are the signs of the times favourable to the cause of missions ?" In answer to this inquiry, he notices, 1, The present state of society in Europe and North America, with its probable influence on the state of the world in general. This is contrasted with the state of society previous to the Reformation. He considers the effect of the discovery of the Western Contiment, the art of printing, and the increase of the representative system of government. 2, The analogy of present events with those of the last three hundred years, as favourable to the same cause. The important and widely-diffused effects of the Reformation are here pointed out, and the conflict between the people of

this country and the house of Stuart, terminating in the Revolution of 1688. While the author laments that tremendous political earthquake, the French Revolution, he indulges the hope of its final result being beneficial to Europe. He supposes that the commerce of Britain, her increasing colonies, the activity of her people, and the principles of her constitution, are destined to effect important changes in Africa, Asia, and South America.

A third sign favourable to missions, is the internal and relative state of Great Britain, which includes the excellent spirit of our constitution, the principles and habits of Britons, our colonizing system, the extent of our language, the rich stores of gospeltruth amongst us, the preponde rating influence of Britain in the political scale of the world; and the character and conduct of the British government.

Our author next expresses his hopes, as founded on the present state of knowledge, and the increased means of diffusing it through the world. Under this particular, he adverts to the institution of Bible, Tract, and Book Societies, the vast increase of Sunday-schools, and the establishment of Missionary Soci

eties.

Mr. G. proceeds to notice the state of public opinion, and its influence on society; he considers public opinion as increasingly in favour of toleration; and pays a just tribute of gratitude to the advocates of the Abolition of the Slave Trade, who have at length triumphed over all the efforts of sophistry, self-interest, and custom.

In the sixth place, The admirable spirit of most real Christians in the present day, is considered as a favourable symptom. The spirit of the church is represented as having been gradually improving, especially in its liberality and benevolence.

The aspect of prophecy is next considered as encouraging, as it relates to the diminution of the Papal hierarchy, the destruction of the Mahometan power, and to the conversion of the Jews.

In the last place, the preacher directs our attention to the near approach of that time in which there shall be a copious and universal effu-, sion of the Holy Spirit. The whole. is then improved by suitable infe

rences.

Our limits will not permit us to remark on each of these important particulars. Our readers will perceive that the preacher has a wide scope for speculation. Many of his suggestions must be matters of opinion; but we trust that, on the whole, they rest on a solid foundation; and that those who long for the extension of Messiah's kingdom may safely conclude, that the aspects of the times are favourable to that event.

The last Sermon was preached by Dr. Draper, at St. Saviour's church. The subject, "Missionary exertions directed and encouraged by Christ," is founded on the apostolic commission, Matt. xxviii. 18-20, "Go and teach all nations," &c.

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Every branch of this commission is commented upon in a very lively' and energetic manner. The authority of our glorious Redeemer is boldly displayed; the evangelical subject of missions is cicarly described; the practical manner in which they are to be enforced is strongly insisted upon, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you;" and the grand encouragement to missionaries, amidst all the opposition_they may expect, is pointed out," Lo! I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." The presence of Christ with his ministers to instruct them, to strengthen them, to qualify them for their stations, to afford them a delightful experience of the power and comfort of the truth they preach, and to crown their labours with success.

This animated discourse concludes with an exhortation to the Society to persevere in their laudable efforts to evangelize the Heathen, and to the congregation to assist, by a liberal contribution, in this great and God-like design.

We believe that all these discourses were heard by the numerous audiences to which they were addressed, with deep attention, and

warm approbation: and we are persuaded, that the lovers of missions who had not opportunity to hear them, will peruse them with pleasure and profit in their closets.

The Report of the Directors, which is prefixed to the Sermons, contains a full account of the present state of the missions supported by the Society at Otaheite, in various parts of South Africa, iu North America, in the East Indies, and in Ceylon, together with the efforts made in favour of the Jews, and the state of the seminary at Gosport. The leading circumstances contained

ОТАНЕІТЕ

For the Jews

Gosport Seminary

in the Report have been briefly stated in this Magazine, as they occurred; but we must refer to the Report itself for a distinct statement of each mission, in which its concerns for the whole year appear at one view.

As some of our readers may not have opportunity to read the Sermons and Report, we apprehend that the following account of Disbursements, &c. will be acceptable; will convey a just idea of the great expence attendant on the support of Missions; and shew the necessity of unremitted exertions in their favour.

1. s. d.

109 8 1,296 13 9

120 12 6

180 7 3 737 3 0

8

Dr. 1806.

To total amount of ditto

in the Country To produce of two Exchequer Bills, sold March and April,

1807

To amount of dividends

on Stock

To Interest on India bonds

To discounts on sundry accounts settled by Mr. Langton

1.

8. d.

85 3 10

2,389 14 9

3,312 5 11

2,322 13 4

809 0 0

16 12 11

6 8 3

7.8,941 19 0