LUTHER: His Mental and Spiritual History; with Special Reference to its Earlier Periods, and the opening Scenes of the Reformation. By BARNABAS SEARS, D.D. 12mo. 422 pp. RELIGIOUS

TRACT SOCIETY.

EXTRAORDINARY is the number of the various works which, within a few years, have been written and published, illustrative of the history of Dr. Martin Luther, the celebrated German reformer. We regard it as a favourable sign of the times, that a large share of public attention has recently been awakened to the facts connected with the life and labours of this remarkable man. The work now before us we consider equal to any that has been published for popular, or general, use. It enters very largely into the particulars connected with Luther's early history, and the long period in which he was in a transition state of mind. The author of this work has taken a more favourable view, than some other writers have, of Carlstadt, who was a coadjutor with Luther in opposing popery, but antagonistic to him on some other points. The work appears to have been prepared with great care; it contains a large amount of important information, which is set forth with great ability. It comprehensively affords all the requisite information respecting Luther's parentage, education, workings of mind, conduct, labours and trials, so as to enable the considerate reader to form correct conceptions of his character, and of the important events in which he took so distinguished and important a part. It is not so lengthy as to be wearisome, yet is sufficiently extended to afford a complete view of Luther's history. It is a very interesting and instructive work.

The Geography of Plants. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.

18mo. 192 pp. Monthly Series.

WE are very much pleased with this excellent and remarkably cheap little volume. It affords much curious and highly interesting information, not merely concerning the localities of what are usually designated plants, but of vegetable productions generally. It throws some light upon Scripture botany; and is well adapted to excite admiration of the Creator, whose power, wisdom, and goodness, His works loudly proclaim. We strongly recommend these monthly volumes to our young friends. They, as well as all the other publications of the Tract Society, can be supplied from our Book-room.

The Young Wife; or Hints to Married Daughters. By A MoTHER. 18mo. 234 pp. RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.

HIGHLY suitable to be presented to any female on the occasion of her marriage. The counsels which it contains are so excellent, that we most cordially recommend all married ladies to give it an attentive perusal. An occasional re-perusal will, to many, be advantageous. Those females who contemplate entering on the married state may also consult it with great advantage, for the purpose of contemplating the duties which, in that state, will devolve upon them. Happy is that husband whose wife ever regulates her conduct by such wise counsels as it affords. We shall be glad to see a work equally admonitory, instructive, and excellent, for "Married Sons." Memorials of Bertie. By HIS MOTHER. 18mo. 92 pp. WARD

AND Co.

A VERY interesting account of a child who possessed extraordinary mental powers, affection, and piety. These Memorials give evidence that

they have been prepared by a person possessed of a superior and cultivated mind, and that they have gushed from a mother's heart. It is very rarely, indeed, the case that so much good sense, right feeling, and mature piety, are witnessed in a child, not living to complete his eighth year, as Bertie is described to have possessed. It is stated, that when he was only two years old his mother taught him, concerning God his Father in heaven. It is highly important to implant divine truth in the minds of As soon as the mind begins to act, it should be led to think of God.

young children.

Life and Labours of Elizabeth Russell, Wife of Thomas Russell, Primitive Methodist Preacher. 18mo. 72 pp. J. BOURNE.

AN interesting memoir of a very laborious and zealous Christian female. The account given of her conversion, subsequent experience, labours, sufferings, and usefulness, is such as to excite astonishment; and it strongly reproves the apathy and unfaithfulness of not only most professors of Christianity, but also of many ministers of religion.

A Grammar of the English Language, for the Use of Commercial Schools. By R. G. LATHAM, M.D. Royal 18mo. 136pp. TAYLOR AND CO.

THIS work contains a very instructive history of the English language, and exhibits the leading principles of English Grammar in a manner which is novel, and intended to exercise the thinking powers of the student. The author does not appear to be a mere copyist book-maker, but a man of erudition, who thinks independently, and marks out his own plan.

EDITOR'S TABLE.

Discourses on the Immateriality and Immortality of the Soul. By the Rev. Thomas Allin.

The People's Rights. Being a Reprint of the Southwark Address and Resolutions, and the Reply to the Rev. Richard Watson. A New Edition.

AGITATION IN CONFERENCE METHODISM.

SOME of our readers have expressed surprise at our silence, for several months, in reference to the agitation which has existed in Conference Methodism. We have had our reasons for such silence. We have been waiting to see what course the agitation would take. On the conduct of the Conference, towards the three expelled Ministers, we have before expressed our opinion, in this Magazine, and in a separate publication. We confess, that as a general rule, we have a strong aversion to agitation in Christian Churches; we believe that only matters of conscience and of paramount interest can justify the members of any church in attempting to produce discontent among its members, or in using any means by which the spirit of unity and love may be violated. We have never thought, the mere cases of the three expelled preachers to be a sufficient cause for agitating the Methodist Connexion. Our opinion ever has been, that looking at their cases, under the light which Methodist law and usage reflects, all the parties concerned are in some respects deserving of blame. A man who becomes an Itinerant Minister in the Conference Connexion, thereby consents to give up that perfect freedom of action, which others

have a right to exercise who are not bound by the laws and usages, which constitute the terms of admission to and continuance in this ministerial confederation. Such also is the case, more or less, with the members of other voluntary associations. The power possessed by a confederation, over its members, may be excessive-those who are unwilling to be under such power, ought not to become members of the confederation-power also, which is lawful, may be improperly and unjustly exercised, and proper authority, as well as excessive authority, may be improperly resisted.

When the agitation commenced, it did not appear to us, from the public statements which were then made, that any really important principle was involved in the controversy. We are of opinion, that the laity in the Conference Connexion are under a system of excessive authority incomparably more worthy of condemnation, than anything of which the Itinerant preachers can, reasonably, complain. Influenced by this opinion, we have endeavoured to direct attention to the oppressive laws of 1835, by which the people are held under the rule of absolute ministerial authority. We did this, not from a desire to agitate the Conference Connexion, but because we thought, that interests of the greatest importance required, that the laws of the Conference passed in 1835, as affecting the laity, should be known and understood. We have been blamed by some of the influential friends of the Methodist Conference for having directed attention to those laws. We, however, maintain our right to discuss them; and think, that we have a peculiar right to express our opinion of them. It was by their operation, and on account of our resistance to them, that we became separated from the Conference Connexion; and we have ever regarded them as founded in injustice, and fraught with great danger to the highest interests of religion.

Although we do not rejoice in the agitations which at present exist in the Conference Connexion, we cannot but feel a measure of satisfaction, that the attention of many of the members of that important community is now directed to an examination of the polity of the body. We are desirous, that its laws should be known and understood. Then, let those who deem them to be just and scriptural give them their continued support; and let those who cannot conscientiously submit to them, seek a reform, in a proper way; and if that be refused, so as to leave little or no hope of success, we think it will be proper for them to retire and join some other church having a form of government in accordance with their more liberal views.

As the present laws of Conference Methodism have been established for more than fourteen years, we are of opinion, that those who have either submitted to them during that period, or who have joined the body since they were passed, are differently circumstanced to those who at the time of their enactment protested against them, demanded their repeal, and were either expelled or withdrew from the Connexion on their account. Yet, we do not object to others now calling for a reform of the Methodist Constitution; but we think that it would be improper for them to persist in a determination to carry on a continuous system of agitation, to compel a surrender of their demands. Separation from a church may be an important though painful duty; but

the continuance of a minority in a church, even for the purpose of compelling an alteration of laws which are deemed to be unscriptural-by keeping up a state of agitation, and producing a most fearful state of distraction-we regard as absolutely sinful. We, therefore, are of opinion, that unless at the next Conference, those who are conscientiously dissatisfied, with the polity of the body, can obtain a redress of the grievances of which they complain, or then have good reason to hope that such redress will be soon granted, they ought then to withdraw, and become united with some other church of Christ, or connexion of churches, with which they may enjoy the freedom they deem to be their right.

From the 12th to the 16th of the present month of March, a Delegate meeting was held in London, for the purpose of adopting measures, to obtain a reform in the polity of Conference Methodism. We understand that between three and four hundred delegates were present. Although the official report has not, as yet, been published, we have learned, from the Wesleyan Times, that the resolutions which have been adopted demand a large surrender of the authority hitherto exercised by the superintendents, and go beyond the repeal of the laws of 1835. Lay delegation in the Conference, however, is not demanded, but the Conference is required to confine itself strictly to the business specified in Mr. Wesley's Deed Poll. The resolutions agreed to, also require that lay delegates shall be admitted to the District Meeting; that the election of office-bearers shall be by the members of the churches-that all disciplinary acts, as to lay officers and members, shall be by the Leader's meetings, subject to a final appeal to the Circuit Quarterly meeting-that the Connexional Committees shall consist equally of preachers and laymen - that the treasurers shall be laymen-and that a Committee of laymen shall be appointed to guard the privileges of the laity. A deputation was appointed by the meeting to wait upon the President of the Conference, and to confer with him upon the means of restoring peace to the Connexion. He, however, declined the conference.

In reading the speeches delivered by the delegates, we have remarked that no reference was made by any of them to either the Methodist New Connexion, or the Wesleyan Methodist Association. Many of the members of the latter community were, fourteen years since, the victims of the laws of 1835, and have, from that time, been endeavouring to make known the oppressive nature of those laws; and thus have greatly aided in enlightening those who are now exerting themselves to obtain a Methodistic reformation. It, therefore, appears strange that the leaders of the movement, the speakers at their public meetings, and their organ, the Wesleyan Times, scarcely ever refer to those, who as Methodist reformers fourteen years since, laboured and suffered in opposition to the principles contained in the laws of 1835. The Revs. J. Everett, S. Dunn, and W. Griffith, jun., attended the delegate meeting, but did not take any part in the discussions. We earnestly desire that the reformers may have wisdom and grace to direct and enable them to pursue a right course; and that the present unhappy contentions in the Wesleyan Conference Connexion, may be speedily brought to a righteous termination.

The members of our own Connexion enjoy the satisfaction of possessing the freedom, which the Methodist reformers profess to be seeking; and the legal constitution of the Association, affords the best possible security against the infraction of the rights of the churches of which it is composed.

From some of the statements made in the Wesleyan Times, it may be inferred, that the Conference Connexion is very generally in a state of revolution, and that the preachers and the Conference will soon be obliged to yield all the demands of the reformers; but from statements put forth by the Watchman, it may be inferred, that the discontent is limited to a few Circuits, and in those, generally, to a few persons who are given to change. We suppose that, in fact, the discontent is more extensive than the Watchman admits, but that the reform movement is not so extensive or powerful as some of the sanguine writers and speakers, reported in the Wesleyan Times, suppose and represent.

Our sympathies are strongly in favour of the removal of all unjust laws, and the establishment of Methodism on a broad Scriptural basis, in which all Methodists may unite. We, however, wish to guard ourselves and our readers against the indulgence of uncharitableness towards those from whom we differ. We fear, that among some of those who are engaged in the present unhappy contentions, on both sides, unholy passions have been, and still are, allowed to operate.

REVIVAL OF RELIGION HINDERED.

99

PERHAPS the great obstacles to revivals may all be classed under one general head, viz., UNBELIEF. The great Head of the Church has not changed. He will be inquired of by His people, for the rich blessings of His grace. He will not do many mighty works, where He sees nothing but settled unbelief. He has given exceeding great and precious promises to assure their faith; and if they dishonour them, by not pleading them before him, or by repeating them in a heartless and unbelieving manner, no wonder that the blessing is withheld. If parents plead not the promise which relate to the salvation of children; or if they do not rest their souls in them, should they be surprised if their children remain impenitent? If the pastor forgets the gracious assurance, "Lo, I am with you;' -"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him;"-can he wonder that the blessing does not come? God's promises were not given to lie rusting like the miser's hoard, or neglected, like useless lumber and rubbish. They are the staff of our faith, the strength and incense of prayer, the stimuli of all well-directed and efficient effort in the work of salvation. He who does not pray, does not labour. He who neither prays nor labours, is simple and sinful, if he thinks that the blessing can come. Is it not probable that many who now say, "Lord, revive thy work," are without the least expectation of seeing a revival? They have some consciousness of their own coolness, and can see that there is a wide-spread and deathlike apathy in Zion; and they know that to ask for a revival would be a very appropriate part of a prayer, and they insert that form of request in most or all of their addresses before the throne of grace: but if the Spirit should be poured out in answer to the prayers of some who had truly wrestled with the angel of