373 Reply, and Queries to Correspondents. Reply to a Question on Oxygen. Feb. 15th, 1821. H. B. "As vegetation is a principal source for oxygen in the summer, what substitute does nature employ for the renovation of the atmosphere in winter, to make up for the deficiency, when the leaves of the plants are gone, and vegetation is in a manner suspended?" This question assumes as a fact, that vegetation is the principal source of oxygen; a point by no means established. Dr. Priestley, and Ingenhouz, made a number of experiments, which seemed to favour the opinion, that vegetables, when acted on by light, emit oxygen, and absorb carbonic acid; and that the reverse takes place, during the abstraction of light. More recent experiments, however, and particularly those of Ellis and Saussure, have been attended with different results. Mr. Ellis inferred is from the experiments which he made, that oxygen is given out by vegetables, only when directly exposed to the solar rays; and, that when not placed in this situation, whether there be darkness, obscure light, or clear day, oxygen is absorbed, and carbonic acid formed. Several other chemists have repeated these experiments, and have obtained similar results. They have concluded, therefore, that the vegetation of plants is not the principal source from whence oxygen derived. The subject appears indeed to be involved in a good deal of obscurity, and it yet remains to be discovered, whether vegetation is or is not the only source of oxygen. Assuming, however, that it is the principal source from whence this gas proceeds; we remark, that during the winter season, vegetation is not entirely suspended; the grasses, and many other plants, and evergreen shrubs and trees, still continue to flourish, and of course afford oxygen when exposed to the rays of the sun: besides, as a smaller quantity of carbonic acid is evolved during the winter, it is obvious that a proportionably less quantity of oxygen will be required. QUERIES TO CORRESPONDENTS. 374 1.-Ring-worm in Children's Heads. A correspondent requests that some humane person, through the medium of this Magazine, will prescribe a cure for what is generally called the Ringworm in the heads of children. This disorder he thus describes: It begins with the hair falling off from a circular spot on the head, the skin of which being a little raised, and of a red colour. This afterwards turns to a white scale, and the skin becomes very thick. Many remedies, he observes, have been recommended, such as nitre, and sulphur ointment, vinegar, and Barbadoes tar, citron ointment, corrosive sublimate in ointment, and dissolved in lime water, and in spirits; but these and several others, in the case to which he alludes, have been tried in vain, the white scale and thick skin still continuing, so that no hair will grow on the spot. During the last twelve months the head has been constantly shaved and kept clean, which has prevented the complaint from spreading. 2.-On the Reunion of Married Persons who had been separated. A Subscriber wishes to know whe ther it be lawful or not for a man and woman who had been lawfully married together, but afterwards separated, and were married to other persons, to unite together again, both having willingly quitted the second husband and wife? and if such characters, living together, are fit to be admitted as members of a tioned Deuteronomy xxiv. 1-4. is apreligious society?-if the law, menbe any law of our own nation made for plicable to such characters; or if there such a case? 3.-On Breaches of tender Engagements. Adoloscenticlus, 'of Spalding, asks, Does a change of religious sentiment justify a breach of tender attachment? 4.-On Reading. A. B. D. asks, What are the best methods which can be adopted to induce a person who has leisure to give his attention to study and learning? 5.-On the Origin of Knighthood; by J. Polperroc. It is usual with translators to render the words Equites Aurati, by the English words, Roman Knights; but I believe the only similarity there is between this Roman order and our mo 375 Remarks on Passages of Scripture. 376 dern knights, consists in the name. | such language mean, an eternal gift of Perhaps some one among your sub- the elect to Christ, in order to be scribers may be able to communicate redeemed by him. I apprehend, that an account of the origin of knighthood, the meaning is, such persons as became its intention, and rules; with the Christ's disciples were said to have been country to which it owes its birth. given by the Father to him. Information of this sort, for it includes a variety of particulars, will tend much to illustrate the manners, and modes of thinking, of what are commonly denominated the dark ages. 6.-On Screw Turners. Wm. Smith of Camborne, Cornwall, says, I have often heard it asserted, that a long turn-screw (or screw-driver) will turn a screw with greater ease than a short one: if it will-required the reason, and in what ratio does the power increase with its length? Submitting these to your judgment, I hope you will give them a place as soon as possible. Remarks on Passages of Scripture. 1. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me," John vi. 37. Giveth being in the present tense, does not favour the idea of an eternal gift. No stress is to be laid upon shall. The context must determine whether the word in the original should be translated shall or will come. The following clause, " and him that cometh to me, I will in nowise cast out," clearly determines that it should be translated will come: for if the will of the comer were not free, the latter clause of the verse would be entirely inappropriate. It is further to be observed, that our Lord reproved the Jews, not because they were reprobates, or had not been given to him from all eternity, but because, having seen him, they did not believe, v. 36. The word give in this place would seem to signify, not that a certain number were eternally appointed to salvation by Christ, but that all the Jews who believed on Christ must have been previously prepared by a firm belief of the scriptures concerning him. "We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph," John 1. 45.-" And ye have not his word abiding in you; for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not." Ibid. v. 38.-"For had ye believed Moses, SIR.--I am of opinion that many pious and well-meaning persons have maintained erroneous views of several parts of the Gospels. The sources of these mistakes, I apprehend, are the following: first,not distinguishing between our Lord's office as a Teacher, and that of the Redeemer of mankind: secondly, not considering that our Lord, as a minister of the circumcision, conformed to Jewish peculiarities of thought and expression, addressed himself to Jewish audiences, and inculcated obedi-ye would have believed me: for he ence to Jewish rites and ceremonies: and, lastly, by attaching a spiritual meaning to language, which it was never intended should convey any other meaning than the literal. It is written, "No man can come unto me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him." When it is considered, who were our Lord's audience, what was the main subject of discourse, and what follows; it will appear that the meaning of these words is, that no Jew could come to be his disciple, unless he were previously prepared by a knowledge of him as the promised Messiah. This passage has been spiritualized, and made to support an erroneous doctrine by some, and has perplexed the system of others. Again, John speaks of individuals who were given to Jesus Christ. The system of John Calvin has made wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words." Ibid. v. 46, 47.-"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life." Ibid. v. 39, 40. 2. "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." Ibid. vi. 39. It may be objected, that hath given is consistent with an eternal gift. Yes; but it is also consistent with a temporal gift to discipleship, when the words are considered in reference to the last day. At the last day, it would be proper to use given in a past tense: Behold I, and the children which God hath given me." Heb. ii. 13. 377 Brief Memoir of the Rev. Wm. Shepherd. 3. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all," John x. 29. Gave may imply an eternal gift. Yes, but it may imply a temporal gift to discipleship; for those of whom our Lord was speaking, had become his disciples, for they heard his voice, and followed him, v. 27. 4. "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as (or all that) thou hast given him." Ibid. xvii. 2. This, it may be said, clearly favours the idea of an eternal gift. It as much favours the idea I have given. It may be objected, that, on my own scheme, eternal life will be given to more than those who had been his followers while on earth; therefore the numbers given to Christ must include all who shall receive eternal life. If it follows, from restricting the number given to Christ, to his disciples, that eternal life will be bestowed only upon those who had been his followers in person; then it would follow that he died for none but the apostles, for it is written, "This is my body, which is given for you: this cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you." Luke xxii. 19, 20. 1 Corin. xi. 24. There are two reasons still in favour of the view which I have given: first, it is right in doubtful cases to adhere to the common acceptation of the word; and secondly, Christ had been addressing the apostles, and was just about to pray for them. 5. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world." Ibid. v. 4. First, the persons given him had been given, not from all eternity, but out of the world. Secondly, unto such persons God's name had been manifested, therefore they were not all the elect, but only those who had been his followers. 6. "Thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word." Ibid. The persons given him had kept his word; therefore they were not all the elect, but his disciples. 7. "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me." Ibid. v. 9. The persons prayed for were those who had believed on him, (v. 8.) and were then in the world, v. 11. Therefore the persons given him are not all the elect. 8. "Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are." No. 26.-VOL. III, 378 Ibid. v. 11. The persons given, mean the disciples, for Christ had been with them, and kept them in the Father's name, v. 12. The persons given him, did not include all believers, for Christ prayed not only for those that the Father had given him, but for those that would believe through their word, v. 20. 9. "Those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition.” Ibid. v. 12. Judas was given! 10. "Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none." Ibid. xviii. 9. "Let these (my disciples) go their way." v. 8. It appears, therefore, that none were given to Christ but in discipleship. Aberdeen, 24th Dec. 1820. BRIEF MEMOIR OF Z. THE REV. WILLIAM SHEPHERD. (With a Portrait.) AMONG the few literary characters, to whom Liverpool has given birth, may be ranked the Reverend William Shepherd, whose portrait accompanies this memoir. Mr. Shepherd was born at Liverpool, November 11, 1768; his father was a respectable tradesman, whose talents and good conduct procured him an introduction to society above his own rank in life. His mother was a daughter of the Rev. Benjamin Mather, a dissenting minister at OverDarwin, a popular preacher, and possessed of an independent fortune. On the death of his father, Mr. Shepherd was received into the family of his maternal uncle, the Rev. Tatlock Mather, pastor of a dissenting congregation at Rainford near Prescot, who, being (a bachelor, adopted him as his son, and instructed him in the elements of useful knowledge; he afterwards went as a day-scholar to Holden's academy at Rainford, where he continued for upwards of six years, the principal part of which time he was under the tuition of the Rev. John Braithwaite. From Rainford, Mr. Shepherd was removed to Bolton, and placed under the tuition of the Reverend Philip Holland, who is still remembered as an excellent scholar, and a most accurate teacher, and of whom Mr. Shepherd has been frequently heard to declare, with the most grateful emo 2 B 379 Brief Memoir of the Rev. Wm. Shepherd. 380 tions, that to the admirable precepts | publication of a life of Poggio Bracof this skilful instructor, he is indebted for the more efficient portion of his education. When Mr. Shepherd had attained his fifteenth year, his uncle died, bequeathing him to the care of his intimate friend, the Rev. Richard Godwin, minister of Gateacre chapel, who, on his determining to devote himself to the ministry, sent him to the dissenting academy at Daventry, in Northamptonshire, where he was admitted on the foundation; here he continued three years, under the tuition of the Rev. Messrs. Belsham, Broadbent, and Cogan, who were respectively Divinity, Mathematical, and Classical Tutors. From Daventry, Mr. Shepherd removed to the New College at Hackney, where he had the advantage of the instruction of those eminent and learned men, Dr. Kippis and Dr. Rees, and also of Mr. Belsham, who was appointed Divinity Tutor to the New College, during Mr. Shepherd's residence there. ciolini, a very celebrated Italian scholar of the fifteenth century, and of whom no accurate account had hitherto been given. This work, which was published in 1802, stands in high and deserved estimation with the literary world, and it has been translated into the French, Italian, and German languages. The style is manly, pure, and elegant; the remarks on authors evince a sound discriminating judgment, and the reflections on events, a discerning and cultivated mind. About the year 1435, Poggio, who was then fifty-five years old, and who had led a very dissipated life, married a lady "who had not seen eighteen summers." In order to justify his conduct for this extraordinary step, he wrote a formal treatise on the question" An seni sit uxor ducenda?" This curious composition never had been made public, till the year 1805, when a few copies were printed by Mr. Shepherd, for distribution among his friends, from the manuscript in the Royal Library at Paris. In 1814, Mr. Shepherd published the result of two excursions to France, under the title of " Paris in 1802, and 1814;" this work, which is generally commended for its impartiality, has gone through three editions. On the completion of his studies, Mr. Shepherd left the college; and no situation as a minister immediately presenting itself, he accepted an invitation from the Rev. John Yates, of Toxteth Park, near Liverpool, to undertake the office of private tutor to his children. During his residence In 1815, Mr. Shepherd, conjointly in Mr. Yates's family, Mr. Shepherd with the Rev. Mr. Joyce and the Rev. occasionally performed divine service Dr. Carpenter, published, in two at the Unitarian chapel at Knowsley. octavo volumes, a general compendium His congregation was at first very of the various objects of liberal study, small, but during his ministry its under the title of "Systematic Educanumbers and respectability were very tion; or Elementary Instruction in the considerably increased. Mr. Shep- various departments of Literature and herd had resided in Mr. Yates's fa- Science, with practical rules for studymily about two years, when he receiv- ing each branch of useful knowledge." ed a call to the pastoral superintend- The first edition of this work was very ence over the Unitarian congregation speedily disposed of; a second has at Gateacre, where he then went to since been printed; and as the work reside, having entered into the matri- obtains very general approbation, it monial connection with Miss Nichol-will, in all probability, reach several son, daughter of the late Mr. Robert more. Nicholson, merchant, of Liverpool. Besides the above works, Mr. ShepSoon after Mr. Shepherd had esta-herd has been the author of several blished his residence at Gateacre, he occasional pamphlets, and a variety opened a seminary for the classical of fugitive pieces and poems, which education of young gentlemen, which have appeared in different periodical he still continues. publications. Of these, altho' some are on subjects of importance, we have no means of ascertaining either the extent or the merit, many of them having been printed without any signature, and few, if any, bearing the author's name. From his intimacy with our worthy townsman, Mr. Roscoe, Mr Shepherd imbibed a partiality for Italian literature, and was induced by a perusal of that gentleman's interesting history of Lorenzo de' Medici, to undertake the 381 Review.-Discourses for Families-Farmer's Guide. REVIEW-A Series of Discourses, containing a System of Doctrinal, Experimental, and Practical Religion, particularly calculated for the Use of Families, preached in the Parish Church of Dewsbury, Yorkshire. By the Rev. J. Buckworth, A.M. Vicar. Second Edition. 8vo. pp. 326. Sherwood & Co. London. We live in an age, when treatises on experimental and practical religion are much wanted; but happily for us, it is also an age in which such treatises are amply supplied. 382 calculated to awaken the inattentive to serious reflection, and to fasten conviction on their minds. We think this book is calculated to be useful. REVIEW.-The Farmer and Grazier's Guide; containing a collection of valuable Recipes for the most common and fatal Disorders, to which Horses, horned Cattle, and Sheep, are subject. Second Edition, improved and enlarged. By L. Towne. 8vo. pp. 104. Longman and Co. London. 1821. we are not well acquainted with either. The strenuous efforts which Infi- ON a work which professedly treats delity has lately made to overturn of diseases in animals, and the means religion, under the specious pretext of their cure, our opinion will proof introducing a freedom of inquiry, bably be of little weight with those have unhappily given birth to a pro- to whom this treatise is likely to fligacy of manners, injurious to pub-prove valuable, when we declare that lic morals, and consequently inimical to the best interests of mankind. These pernicious effects, it is the duty of every man, who is the friend of his country and of his God, to endeavour to counteract; and this can never be so effectually accomplished, as by affectionately inculcating experimental and practical godliness. This treatise contains twenty sermons, on subjects that are important in themselves, and deeply interesting to the Christian world. In their range, they embrace the Divine existence, the truth of Revelation, the commandments of God, the nature of sin, redemption through Christ, faith in his atonement, holiness of heart and life, and the various duties which are peculiar to the relations we sustain in our social intercourse. We hold ourselves competent, however, to observe, that on most occasions, the Author's remarks appear judicious and plausible, and that his ideas are expressed with ease and perspicuity. On the nature and causes of many diseases, his observations carry with them their own evidence; in the former case they are founded on fact, and in the latter they are supported by the highest degree of probability. The remedies also, and means of eure, which he prescribes, are such as our general acquaintance with the known properties of drugs, either as simples or compounds, would induce us to approve, as being calculated to counteract those maladies which render the use of medicine necessary. Several of the disorders to which animals are liable, Mr. T. has described with much discrimination, pointing out their symptoms and progress, and prescribing the means through which they may be either prevented or removed. In the discussion of these momentous topics, the author shows himself to be in earnest for the salvation of those committed to his care; and notwithstanding the peculiarities of his creed, which occasionally appear, and the phraseology to which these On one serious disease, the Rot in peculiarities have given birth, he Sheep, Mr. Towne has relieved us boldly enforces obedience to the di- from the embarrassment which our vine precepts, as the distinguishing deficiency of knowledge would occharacteristics of genuine Chris-casion, by furnishing the testimotianity. The manner in which his various subjects are introduced and applied, seems to be well adapted for those of his congregation whose welfare he professes to have in view. The language is plain but energetic, and is nials of many respectable individuals, who have made trial of his medicines, and found them particularly efficacious. These gentlemen, having been extensively concerned in the management of sheep as individuals, and partially so as members |