Review of Books. JOURNALS OF THE REV. MESSRS. ISEN- IF our limited space would admit of it, we would here treat our readers to a little exposé of some of the tricks of Popery in this most interesting country of Abyssinia. Twice, within a few years has the gospel of Christ been driven out, as far as the ex pulsion of its preachers could expel it, by the deep devices of the Man of Sin. How graphically are the method and the nature of Popish conversion described by a French Romanist, quoted in the preface to this work, who, in writing on the ecclesiastical affairs of Abyssinia, and advising as to the future proceedings of a Romish Mission there, thus craftily counsels: "Our Missionaries ought even to be cautious of avowing their intention. It will, I doubt not, be for the interest of their cause,—and an able and auspicious policy,—only to present themselves at first as chemists or mechanics, after the example of the Jesuits, who conducted, in the seventeenth century, the glorious China Mission. I believe it unnecessary to add that a cold, reserved Course should only be observed until their credit with the king, and their influence over the country should be solidly established by their successful labours. Their efforts should at first be directed towards the king, for ON HIS CONVERSION ALONE would depend that of the Amharras!! Attempts on the Gallas might be tried, by representing to the prince of what political advantage it would be for him to unite all the members of his states in the same unity of faith.” Faith! The faith of devils, as represented by the Apostle James, is something; for they believe and tremble but this faith, the faith of Rome, is an Atheism that cannot tremble. We have marked the foregoing diabolical specimen of Popish Missionary labour by italics in order to direct the reader's attention to certain passages, on which we have not space to comment. We wish it to be especially observed that it is the established practice of Popery in these days, as of old, to have "Missionaries" employed for the "conversion" of kings and their people to the aforesaid "faith" of Rome, in the disguise of "chemists and mechanics" for such a land as Abyssinia; and for such a land as England, no doubt, equally well-disguised as Protestant Gentlemen, Protestant Clergymen, heads of Protestant colleges, and under whatsoever mask they may direct their efforts "towards the Queen," of course, and Her Majesty's Government. Already have they succeeded in gaining some advocates for their project of "great political advantage" by combining all the members of the Irish community "in the same unity of faith." We shall not dwell on this loathsome glimpse of the serpent's slimy track: but pray the Lord, who conquered Satan for us, to conquer him in us, and to bruise him and all his infernal crew under the feet of His church shortly. We can promise our readers a most interesting treat, in the perusal of these "Journals." Two men of meek and holy spirit, in patience and perseverance, in faith and prayer, doing their Lord's work, and leaving the event to Him. The Geographical and historical portion is extremely valuable; and on the whole work shines the promise, "Ethiopia shall spread forth her hands unto God." MAMMA AND HER CHILD. Intended to be read to young children.-Religious Tract Society. A NICE little book, well calculated to draw out the mental faculties of a young child. It is dialogue fashion, with a good deal of scriptural instruction pleasantly brought in. There is no nonsense about forms, and vestments, and such other solemn trifles as certain writers of our day deem it proper to cram the heads of little children with; neither is there any simplifying" of scripture to render that unmeaning which the Lord has vouchsafed to make comprehensible to babes. We, therefore, like this little book, and recommend it for nursery use. 66 SOUTH INDIAN MISSIONARY SKETCHES; containing a short account of the Missionary stations, connected with the Church Missionary Society in Southern India. In letters to a young friend. By S. T. Part II. Tinnevelly, Travancore, etc.— Nisbet. NOT having seen the first part of this work we can only speak of the more recently published volume, which is, indeed, very interesting; being a descriptive sketch of our principal Missionary stations, occasionally illustrated by wood cuts. Some particulars are incidentally mentioned that throw much light on political disasters lately sustained in that quarter, but missionary work is the main topic. We were much touched by the account given of the Nawaub of Kurnool's murder. He was assassinated in the Church, by a Mahommedan fanatic, on the avowed ground of his conversion to Christianity which he also, with his dying breath professed, entreating baptism. It was denied to him; we should like to know on what authority. It appears strangely inconsistent, alike with the command of the Lord Jesus and with the practice of His Apostles, to refuse the rite to any one who openly confesses his faith in the Redeemer of the world. LETTERS FROM MADRAS, during the years 1836-1839. By a Lady.-Murray. THIS is a work of a different texture from the preceding. It consists of a series of letters, written in the liveliest, most comic strain, by the lighthearted young wife of an official man-a civilianevidently a pious and judicious man, earnestly striving to promote the interests of the natives within his reach. The writer by the drollery of her style provoked a frequent laugh; but we were not quite sure whether to class her book among those that we are in the habit of reviewing, until, towards its close, we found so many startling intimations conveyed on the subject of English legislation and government among the natives-particularly in reference to their idolatrous customs-in the familiar, off-hand style of unpremeditated letters, that we resolved to mention the book, as one blending much real information with a very large portion of laughable description. The writer, however, evidently laboured most zealously to carry out the benevolent plans of her husband; and evinces much shrewd good sense in many of her remarks, on surrounding characters and circumstances. Every time we take up a creditable book on India, we are constrained to apostrophise the representatives of British power in that ill-used OCTOBER, 1843. 2 B |