We have been led into these reflections by perusing the life of that gifted and holy man, the late Dr. Fletcher, which is just now issuing from the press. It has been too long delayed, from circumstances over which the author had no control; but its appearance even now will be hailed with thankfulness by multitudes who knew and loved its amiable subject, were privileged to call him friend, to own him as their pastor, or even to listen to occasional pulpit discourses from his lips. We are glad that his select works are published simultaneously with the memoir, and hope that they will obtain that extensive circulation to which, on all accounts, they are entitled. Dr. Fletcher was born at Chester, December 3rd, 1784, and peacefully expired on the 8th day of June, 1843. His life, comparatively short, was laborious, honourable, and useful beyond that of most men. Though not studded with incidents of startling or overwhelming interest, it abounded in events of an instructive and frequently remarkable order. The relations he sustained publicly and privately were very numerous, and the way in which he discharged their various duties indicated how complete, as a man and a Christian, he stood in all the will of God. Brought in early life to a saving acquaintance with Divine truth, his holy career was increasingly bright and blessed to its close. Gifted naturally with a good understanding, the capabilities of which were evolved by a liberal course of collegiate instruction, he subordinated all his powers and attainments to the advancement of the Divine glory in the salvation of immortal spirits. From conviction, a decided Nonconformist, Congregationalist, and Calvinist, he yet, by the catholicity of his spirit, the candour of his admissions, and the amenities of his conduct, largely shared the esteem and affection of Christians of all denominations. Distinguished rather by the equally balanced character of his mind than by its brilliancy or wonderful power in any one department, his information was at once varied and useful, and he proved himself, beyond doubt, a workman needing not to be ashamed. Called to occupy important, responsible positions as a pastor, he exhibited a meekness of wisdom and firmness of principle, worthy of imitation in the ordinary government of a church, and especially in the management of its affairs when encompassed with considerable difficulty. Active and efficient in meeting all the requirements which press on a popular metropolitan minister, he neglected not the duties of the domestic circle, and was eminently distinguished in the relations of husband and father. It was a lovely spectacle to behold him in the midst of his family while in the enjoyment of health and strength, and a deeply touching scene to mark his bearing toward them amidst the ravages of disease and in the prospect of death. The life of such a man deserved to be written, and to be written well. We are happy to report that, in our judgment, it is so written. His son has proved himself well fitted for the undertaking, which, if in some respects a task, was more to be regarded as a labour of love. Aware of the danger into which filial biography is too frequently betrayed, he appears to have carefully avoided all exaggeration of his father's excellence, and at the same time has not hesitated to publish anything that appears necessary to enable the reader to form his own opinion of the character presented in its entireness to contemplation. Indeed, if there be anything to which we except in the volume, it is to the unabridged form in which some of Dr. Fletcher's letters are given, being in that shape less fitted for general perusal than for their original confidential purposes. Still we need not regret this unveiling, even of the domestic portrait, as it allows us to trace the beautiful harmony which subsisted in the private and public character of our departed friend. The memoir is divided into periods or chapters. A brief but comprehensive view is given by the writer of the circumstances embraced in each period, and the comment is supplied by large extracts from the correspondence of Dr. Fletcher. The outline is thus sketched by the hand of the son, and the filling up effected by the posthumous pencil of the father. The scenes of Chester, of Hoxton, of Blackburn, and of Stepney, rise successively to view, and the interest of the narrative increases to its close. Á valuable critique on the conduct of Dr. Fletcher as a tutor, from the pen of Professor Stowell, and an excellent estimate of his character by the Rev. J. A. James, add greatly to the value of the book. We have no room for lengthened extracts, but must present to our readers the following paragraphs, which describe the final earthly scene:-- 'His youngest son, who had for some time been anxiously deliberating upon preparing for the Christian ministry, dedicated himself at the deathbed of his father to this holy work, if God should so favour him, in the hope and prayer that he might tread in his father's steps; and has since then become a student of Coward College. All his children had the satisfaction of seeing him before his decease. As his six sons at different periods entered his chamber, he addressed each by name, and with a smile of fond affection repeated certain verses of Scripture which he had written under each name, respectively, in the family Bible; and then turning to his beloved daughter, with a look of ineffable sweetness, said, "Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter!" 'Towards the close of his sufferings, when in great pain, he gave vent to his feelings, not in murmuring expressions, but in most emphatic prayer; such as, "O Christ, forgive me! Immaculate Jesus, help me!" And these were amongst his last expressions. The night before his death, his daughter asked him if he was in much pain; he said faintly, "No." This was his last word.'-Life, p. 529. We have left ourselves but little space for noticing the select works of Dr. Fletcher, as now published in two volumes. The one consists of Lectures on the Roman Catholic Religion and on Puseyism; the other of Sermons previously unpublished. It is enough to say, that the posthumous works are worthy of their author. We hope that the single sermons, published by him in his life-time, will be collected in an additional volume, and then our denomination will possess an adequate valuable memorial of a man who did as much to improve its character and to advance its interests as any one with whom we are acquainted. There is no need for offering any apology for the length of this article. The connexion of Dr. Fletcher with this Journal some years since, and his steady attachment to its principles and aims, would more than justify us in offering a far more extended review of his life and writings. We have only to regret that the shortness of the time that has elapsed between our receipt of the volumes and our going to press, has prevented our writing more worthily of the subject. We have done what we could, and are gratified in subscribing to the following judicious and truthful remarks of the biographer : The language applied in a recent biography to Dr. Arnold was applicable to him he was like the cloud "which moveth altogether, if it move at all." To say that the intellectual, moral, and spiritual qualities were evenly balanced, would be insufficient; since they were almost blended in their operations, as completely so as in the case of any man whose life has been recorded. It is not affirmed that the distinction which exists between the thinking and emotional part of our nature, and which is evinced by most men of great genius even in their habits of study and life, did not exist in the present instance; but it was less perceptible than usual. There was an unwonted degree of consentaneousness in the two classes of functions. In consequence of constitutional temperament, augmented in its power by habit, he could not, so easily as some, suspend the moral judgment during the processes of investigation and reasoning. He therefore expended much energy on every subject. Every mental process was exhaustive. At the same time, the general result was a more perfect man than is often to be witnessed. The not unnatural result of this symmetry of character, which, in truth, was his highest distinction, was that he was not sufficiently appreciated by those who were not placed in favourable circumstances for considering it as a whole. Redeeming qualities generally strike a superficial observer more than the same qualities in connexion with others equally admirable, on the principle that the purest style of architecture is less attractive to the multitude than one of exaggerated proportions. There was in this luminary of the church no eccentricity of orb or of orbit to call attention to what was singular, or, to vary the figure, no conspicuous feature rendered prominent by the imperfection of the rest; and hence, while many men seemed to excel him in some departments, it was only because, at least in many instances, there was a foil in their case which did not exist in him, to set off the excellence. 'It is difficult, on this account, to form a just estimate of his actual powers of intellect. With submission to the judgment of others, the writer believes that it was never fully displayed, in consequence of the many prac tical duties devolving upon him. He scarcely had an uninterrupted day for literary composition from the commencement of his ministerial career. Every work that he published was composed under circumstances of pressure from without. Those who judge of his power of thought and generalisation, from what he actually published in the shape of sermons, will fall into the mistake of judging from insufficient data.'-Life, pp. 535–537. Sincerely thanking the author for this valuable contribution, we cordially commend his labours to the support of our readers, by urging them to possess themselves of these volumes, which will amply repay the most careful perusal. VI. BINNEY'S SERMONS ON THE DEATH OF MR. GUYER.* THE SPIRIT ADMITTED TO THE HEAVENLY HOUSE: THE BODY REFUSED A GRAVE. A TAKING title; but fairly descriptive of the occasion. Most of our readers are acquainted with the painful circumstance to which the latter portion of the title relates. Had it been an ordinary instance of clerical bigotry, it might have been allowed to escape uncensured. But even at a time rife with the petty annoyances of intolerance, it stands out and challenges attention as a glaring ecclesiastical enormity; very much as, in old ecclesiastical architecture, some sculptured monster, though surrounded by groups of ordinary deformity, catches the eye, and seems to insist on riveting the attention by monopolising and projecting a whole order of fiendish ugliness of its own. From the first of these discourses, delivered by Mr. Binney in his own chapel, we learn that he had heard the day before of Mr. Guyer's death; of whom, two days before that, he had taken his sorrowing leave. So recently returned from the death-bed of his friend, we can easily account for the vividness, the depth of tone, and the tenderness which distinguish his portraiture of the departed man of God. 'He was a man of "like precious faith" with apostles and primitive believers; rich in experimental piety; of deep and sincere devotion; and of great purity of life. He was a man too of a lovely and loving spirit; he had not a particle of sectarian bitterness about him; he was never called indeed (or never went) into the field and arena of controversy; but had he mingled ever so much in strife and struggles, I believe he would never have uttered a word, or done a thing, for which, as uncharitable or acrimo * The Spirit admitted to the Heavenly House: the Body refused a Grave. Two Sermons, preached on the occasion of the death of the Rev. T. S. Guyer, of Ryde, Isle of Wight: with notes. By Thomas Binney. pp. 104. London: Jackson and Walford, St. Paul's Churchyard: J. Unwin, 31, Bucklersbury. nious, living or dying, he would have had reason to repent. He loved and adored his Divine Master, and rejoiced to recognise his image wherever it was seen. As a preacher, he was zealous, evangelical, effective; he was fluent, copious, scriptural, experimental, tender. The plain, simple truths of the Gospel had always marked prominence in his discourses, and were given forth with great variety of illustration and use. His powers were not of the highest order, nor his sermons great intellectual effortsthings to be admired and enjoyed by mind, as such, whether it happen to have religion or not. His was a higher aim, a better purpose, a nobler ambition. He was blessed of God to the conversion of many persons; and to the establishment in the faith-the edification, refreshment, and comfort of more. For twenty-eight years he occupied a position of great importance, and occupied it with competent ability, with large success, and with a public sentiment of respect and confidence, as a good minister of Jesus Christ," which advanced and deepened in the minds of his fellow-townsmen, as he continued to advance in life and labour. When he first went to Ryde it was comparatively a village; it has grown into a town: his place of worship, in like manner, from a little conventicle, grew into a somewhat spacious church. In old days of evangelical prosperity in the Establishment, and of Methodist fervour and glow in the sects, our friend was regarded by the visitors at Ryde who relished and desired "the preaching of the Gospel," as the most full and faithful, if not the exclusive, dispenser of it in the place. His ministry was attended, and the holy communion sought and received at his hands, by persons of various denominations, including, often, members of the Establishment. I cannot conclude this brief tribute 66 to departed excellence without saying, that he whom we are called to mourn was as exemplary in the private relations of life, as he was conspicuous in his official character. As a husband and a father, his family could best appreciate his worth and discover his virtues as, with a sorrow all their own-a grief with which none can intermeddle"-they now lament and deplore his loss. As a friend, many will follow him with loving thoughts, and recall him with tender regret; and by none will he be remembered or regretted with greater affection than by me." 66 Our want of space compels us to omit the touching personal allusions which follow, though the omission greatly impairs the hallowed effect of our quotations. To the truth of the eulogy we have copied, we can add our own testimony. For many years it was our privilege, during an annual visit to Ryde, to enjoy the benefit of Mr. Guyer's excellent ministry, and the pleasure of his friendly and familiar intercourse. We could tell also of his glad sympathy in our joy, and of his welcome and tender participation in our sorrows. And it is with deep, sacred satisfaction that we now record our gratitude to God that we have been allowed the advantage of knowing and loving so much Christian excellence as his character embodied. Mr. Binney continues: "His end was peace." He now sleeps, calm and tranquil, after months of agony;-agony to me, when I witnessed it, almost terrific, but borne with the fortitude of a martyr, and the submission of a child-“ a child of God." I saw him a few hours before he died. He had paroxysms of indescribable suffering, but his faltering tongue and broken words only expressed acquiescence, confidence, and hope. He wondered, indeed, at the |