855 Review-Memoirs of the Rev. John Taylor. 856 Shortly after this, Mr. T. lost the use of his right eye, the sight of which he never again recovered. the progress of existence, by directing possible for me to continue it long, and preserve my reason and my sight. The former I us to pause on the margins of divided soon felt much affected, and subsequent events worlds. quickly proved how much the latter had sufThe narrative which this book re-fered. These hints may perhaps be a warning cords, is chiefly taken from Mr. Tay-to those who may be strongly tempted, as I lor's own diary, in which he has given was, to endeavour to obtain a little knowledge, a faithful and unvarnished account of when all the powers are too much worn down to bear it." pp. 60. God's dealings with his soul in early life; of his spiritual trials and struggles; of his hopes and fears;-of his doubts and perplexities;- and of his happy deliverance from the numerous snares to which he was exposed. In every paragraph, the irradiations of truth shine with peculiar lustre, and the whole of his spiritual warfare tends to exalt the abundant grace of God. In pursuing his journey through this vale of tears, his domestic troubles were neither few nor small; but it is pleasing to observe the Sun of righteousness beaming from behind the darkest cloud which seemed to obscure his passage. In all his narrative, the records of his life are accompanied with much self-abasement, and with an exaltation of that grace which brings salvation into the soul. Raised from the coal mines, in which several of his family had earned a scanty livelihood, to the pulpit of Queenshead, he still appears to have retained his primitive simplicity of manners, aiming to bring souls to Jesus Christ, the promotion of whose glory seems to have been his principal object. In this, his efforts were happily crowned with success; for although the infant church in that place, which he was made instrumental in raising up, was afterwards subjected to many painful vicissitudes, his strength was according to his day, and he lived to see the great Head of the church triumph over all his enemies. Of his unremitting diligence, we give the following specimen in his own words. He, however, persevered in his labours until December 6th, 1818, when he delivered his last discourse. He continued to languish until Friday the 25th, when he rested from his toils, and entered on his reward. His funeral was attended with the highest testimonies of respect. Ten ministers of different denominations honoured his interment with their presence; and the concourse of people was estimated at between two and three thousand. He was beloved in life, and honoured in death, by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. It is a tribute of justice due to his memory to say, that after living fortyfive years among the same people, and occupying a station, that exposed him to popular observation, he maintained a good report to the close of life. Even calumny herself seemed unwilling to tarnish his name. The last section in this biographical sketch, contains his own account of his behaviour towards his children, and to his neighbours, his views and designs in beginning and continuing in the work of the ministry, his manner of preaching, his visiting and going among his friends,his exercises of devotion,-the ways of Divine Providence towards himself and familyand finally, with considerations which supported him through all his labours. All these furnish many important lessons, which the most accomplished ministers might advantageously learn; and they set forth an example which piety in every form will not disdain to follow. In about a year and a half, I read more than three thousand octavo pages; among which were all the volumes of Neal's History of the Puritans. I wrote, I think, nearly a quire of paper; besides all that I had to do of reading and writing, connected with my work Of the part which Mr. Adam Taylor, as a minis ter. In doing this, I lived one sum- the biographer, has performed in this mer entire ly in the chapel; and was knocked out of it when I was wanted in the house. In work, but little remains to be said. the winter season, I sat down at the time of The greater portion of the materials candle-ligl ting, placed my candle behind my he found prepared and arranged to his shoulder on the top of my chair, and with hand. His selections appear to have scarcely a ny intermission, even when the even- been made with much judgment, and ings were five or six hours long, I kept on reading till bed-time. This intense reading the fidelity which he has shewn in deand study I continued for nearly two years, lineating the character of his friend, till both te doctors and others said it was not cannot but secure for him the appro 857 Review-Protestantism and Bible Societies. 858 bation of all candid and judicious | ed the infamous decree, that faith is not to be readers. It seems to present to us a kept with heretics, a decree of which modera faithful mirror of the deceased. Were Catholics affect to be ashamed, and which they biographers always to act thus, friend- say they reject. But for individual Catholics, or all the Catholics in England or Ireland, to ship might lament the dead, without talk of rejecting the decree of a council, is just compelling justice to sigh-that truth as absurd as it would be for the magistrates of had been interred in the same se- Dudley to say they had rejected an act of parliament. As in the latter case, parliament only pulchre. has the power of repealing its own acts; so in the former, none but a council can repeal the decrees of a council: and that power they can never exercise, but at the expense of their infallibility." (Preface.) REVIEW. Remarks on the Rev. Tho- time when infidelity and ignorance In these sentiments of the author, we most readily concur. But we must not forget, that the advocates for the Catholic system will not allow the conclusion which terminates the paragraph. They tell us, that the decisions of councils are governed by the occasions which called them forth; but that as circumstances change, the modes of decision vary, without losing their character of infallibility. Mr. Stanley's Letters are four in number, and they appear to be written in a strain of argumentative humour, which cannot fail to amuse even those whom they are best calculated to instruct. To an author who possesses a fertile imagination, the mummeries of popery furnish ample materials on which to display the corruscations of wit; and these Mr. Stanley exhibits to some advantage. But independently of these occasional sallies, his reasonings are clear and masculine, and he shews himself to be something more than a novice in the polemic art. On the passages of scripture which Mr. Tysan, his Catholic antagonist, quotes, Mr. S. animadverts with considerable ability, and we conceive with good effect. In the late attempts which have been made to e flect what has delusively been denominated Catholic emancipation, we were taught by its advocates, that the absurdities and anathemas, which had disgraced former centuries, had perished with the periods which gave them birth. We were informed, that From some popish authors of acknowthe light which distinguished the nine-ledged celebrity, Mr. Stanley has quoteenth century, had irradiated the Ca- ted passages which we can scarcely tholic mind; that the dangerous tenets read without feeling indignant at the with which they were charged, existed impiety and insolence which they disonly in the terrified imaginations of play. From the renowned Bellarmine their opponents; and that Catholics he selects the following. "If the pope and Protestants might now enjoy the should err, in commanding vices, and common privileges of their birthright. forbidding virtues, the church were To these tales we were disposed to bound to believe vices to be good, and lend an attentive ear; but we have virtues to be evil." "A Christian ought been warned from many quarters to to receive the church's doctrine withbeware of delusion; and the subject out examination. All Christians, and now before us, confirms the suspicions ministers, and bishops, are to be subwhich we were recommended to en-ject to the pope." When infallibility tertain. arrogates to itself such authority as this, that man must have abandoned his reason, who does not doubt its pretensions. "Roman Catholicism," (Mr. Stanley tells us,) "is the same now, as in the time of the Council of Constance, which solemnly enactNo. 31.-VOL. III. 31 We have no time to follow Mr. Stanley through his examination of the various topics which fall under his notice. We can only say, that he has handled them with considerable talent | and address; and we are much inclined to think, that the Rev. Mr. Tysan, when he commenced his attack upon protestantism and bible societies, had no anticipation that his own authority and infallibility would be so formidably called in question. We recommend this pamphlet to the perusal of every Catholic in England and Ireland, and to as many Protestants as feel an interest in the circulation of the Scriptures, and that form of Christianity which their ancestors shed their blood to secure. REVIEW.-Poems by Joseph Jones, M.A. pp. 180. London, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, & Brown; F. C. & J. Rivington; J. Hatchard & Son; Whitaker & Brown, Wigan, 1821. THE subjects of these poems are five in number; namely, Authorship, The Church, Greatness, Zeal, The Satirist, and Content. These subjects are preceded by a preface, containing fifteen pages, in which the author develops the principles which he intends to unfold in the subsequent poems. This preface is well written. It contains many judicious observations on the various topics which are introduced to public notice by the most celebrated writers of the present day, in which the best interests of mankind are either overlooked, or only introduced in a vague and incidental manner, though they were too trifling and unimportant to occupy their thoughts, or employ their pens. For this open and candid avowal of his sentiments, the author is entitled to the approbation of all those whose favour he would consider worthy of his acceptance. as His reflections indeed extend in their consequences beyond the characters to whom he has restricted their application. The manner in which those authors have written, whose conduct falls under his censure, contains a severe satire on the age in which we live. They pursue their career, because they find it congenial with the vitiated taste which prevails. They have watched the march of intellect, and have availed themselves of the 860 frivolity which they have discovered. Authors who will flatter their readers in their weaknesses, will always command a multitude of admirers, the numbers of which will be in proportion to the dexterity with which they can conceal their designs. To extol wisdom is the most effectual method that can be taken to disarm suspicion of its vigilance, and to levy an impost upon the pockets of imbecility. In the poems before us, there is a considerable fund of masculine sense and elevated sentiment. The author's lines in many places contain much pointed harmony. The weapon of satire wears a keen edge, and occasionally inflicts wounds in unexpected quarters; so that while we smile at the blow which some vice or characteristic foible receives, of which we are takes an unexpected turn, and, falling conscious we are not guilty, the sabre upon ourselves, compels us to suspend our merriment, and even to leave the huzza unfinished. Authorship, the first subject, is carried on in the form of a dialogue between a Friend and a Poet. Of these, the former reprehends, and the latter vindicates, and in both instances the characters are well sustained. We subjoin the following as a specimen. “F. WHY Scribble, and complain of scribbling times? Why rhymes condemn, and yet compose rhymes? in What inconsistency! But blame no more; "P. Pause, gentle friend: not writing I de spise, "F. What is an author? An unlucky wight, Monopolist of wisdom, skill, and taste, He carves a quill, and writes away in haste; In pompous phrase he dresses all the trash, And gives no knowledge, though he drains our cash. "P. Far too satirical; far too severe; All candour leaves you while you smile and sneer. Of those whom quills, and reams, and types delight, I grant comparatively few can write; cause, Deserve, and must obtain, our warm applause. "F. But these are few, and scattered o'er the land By Him who formed us, with a frugal hand: And make, blind victims of a fitful glow, "P. Enough: but I maintain my thesis clear; He who is sound in mind, in heart sincere, Of purest truth in circumambient night; The CHURCH runs through about twenty-five pages. Its design and vast utility the author places in a favourable light; connecting public worship with morality and religion, and carrying our views into a disembodied state. From this article, we have not room for any quotations. On the subject of GREATNESS, the opinions of various characters are introduced, and found to be destitute of all genuine claims to the dignified 862 title. This he finally places in moral worth, which he thus expresses and illustrates. "Where leads the verse? To this, and no thing more; Greatness in moral elements explore; What dazzles, and delights us, and so forth, No gay exterior that the eyes behold; May work in basest metal if you please, On the subject of RELIGIOUS ZEAL, the author thus expresses his views. Enough: the energy of zeal is shown: Of frigid wisdom with a listless soul? If rightly we the moral scene behold, The two remaining subjects are THE SATIRIST and CONTENT. Each of these has its peculiar excellence, without being able to boast of exclusive perfection. But we have no room either 863 Queries to Correspondents. to amplify beauties, or to descant upon defects. Taken as a whole, this volume is at once entertaining and instructive. The diction is strong and dignified, and the versification smooth and easy; but what is a far superior recommendation, the author's muse confines her flight within the limits assigned by the voice of inspiration, to morality and religion. QUERIES TO CORRESPONDENTS. 1. On the Cramp. A Bather will be obliged to any of your numerous correspondents, who can inform him of an antidote against the cramp, that dread goblin of the watery element. 2. On the Bite of Mad Dogs. J. Caryl would be glad to know why persons who are bitten by mad dogs shew such an aversion to the sight of water, as soon as the malady discovers itself. 3. On the Knowledge of departed Spirits. B. asks, Have "the spirits of the dead made perfect" any knowledge of what passes on in this world? 4. On the Heading of Invoices, and Addressing of Letters. Iven of London wishes to know the proper way to head a letter of business, or one attached to an invoice, when you wish to address a firm composed of unmarried ladies? And likewise if the leading partner should be a married lady, or a widow, and the rest unmarried? And also a firm consisting of a widow lady and one or two sons? 5. On Relations intermarrying. Consanguineus asks, whether it be probable, in case near relations continue to intermarry, that any physical degeneracy will attach to their posterity, either in mind or body? 6. On Spelling. A young man about twenty years of age, who writes an excellent hand, but spells wretchedly, would be gladly informed of the best method of improving himself in this useful branch. 7. Inquiries respecting Bermuda, Bahama, &c. K. C. M. will be obliged to any person who will answer any or the whole of the following queries: 804 1. What is the extent of the Bermuda Islands? What is the amount of the white and black population? with any information respecting the climate, soil, productions, commerce, form of government, civil and religious institutions, size and situation of the towns, forts, harbours, and rivers, employments of the inhabitants, general character, military force, prices of labour, and materials for ship-building, expense of living, rent of houses, cost of land, and encouragements offered to settlers? On all these points, information is solicited; for notwithstanding these Islands have been so long in the possession of the English, notwithstanding their vicinity to the continent of America, and the numerous ships by which they have been visited, there is so little respecting them to be gathered from any works with which K. C. M.is acquainted, that any account of them must be acceptable to the majority of the readers of the Imperial Magazine. 2. What is the extent, population, and mode of government, in the Bahama Isles? Have any great improvements been lately effected in them? Has the population increased? What towns and harbours are there, and how are they situated? What military force, and meaus of defence, do they possess? What is the general character of the inhabitants? 3. To what extent is the Great or Orange River in South Africa navigable, and for vessels of what burden? What do its shores produce, and what climate does it enjoy? 4. What authors have written upon any of the foregoing topics, and what are the titles and dates of their works? 5. What establishments are maintained at the British forts on the Gold coast of Africa, and in the river Gambia? In what state for defence and comfort are these forts and settle |
