and Wales 3000 stations at which the curates who serve them have less than 100l. a year; these are certainly the smallest and poorest in the country;could the voluntary principle do less for them? is it not certain, if they deserved to hold their stations at all, that it would do much more for them? Then it is said, that whatever is allowed in favour of the voluntary principle, it is not sufficiently steady and permanent to be relied on. If by its want of permanence is meant, that it will not continue its support irrespective of the state of religion, and of the services and merits of its ministers, then I claim this as a peculiar excellence. It is a faithful indicator of the presence and power of religion; it fails where it is not, and shows the true state of the place; and it lives and flourishes where it is, and in its turn contributes eminently to its expansion and permanence. To do more than this, to supply the outward form and body of religion, except as true religion is near to sustain and animate it, is to do too much; it is to deceive the eye with the appearances of life, when there is no life; and it is to propagate death age after age. The small portion of the dissenting church which is endowed, is rather like a sepulchre than a sanctuary. Germany has an endowed church, where religion is on the surface, but where neology is beneath. France has an endowed church, where religion is professed, but where infidelity is real; and every where it is found to present the most formidable obstacle to the spread of vital religion. After all, the principle has not had fair trial in our land. It has been more fully and extensively tried in America; and, although attempts have been made to depreciate the state of religion in that land, I am prepared to say advisedly, that it is better supplied with the means of religion than any other land under heaven. One of its small and new towns, for instance, as an ordinary sample, contains 6,000 persons; it has five churches; and half the population attends them. New York has 200,000 inhabitants; it has 101 churches; this will give, at an average attendance of 500 each, a fourth of the population as church-going; and that of London by the same estimate would give only one-seventh. It has 15,000 churches raised amongst a population of 12,000,000; and the average attendance cannot be taken at less than one in four, while that of Great Britain cannot be taken higher than one in five. And what is remarkable is, that it has achieved this with a population doubling itself in fourteen years; and instead of appealing to the principle of State endowment as, in an emergency, it has renounced it as inefficient where it did exist. Thus we have a land, under the greatest disadvantage, without any endowment for the purposes of religious worship, provided with more churches, with a more efficient ministry, and with a better average reward for ministration, than we have in our own country, where every advantage has been possessed for ages, and where some three millions a-year are given to uphold an Establishment. If such facts settle the question, they will not create surprise; for this after all is the ordinary mode in which these principles work; the one to evil, the other to good. The principle of endowment makes a place for the man; the voluntary principle makes a man for the place. The one is a premium to indolence; the other is the reward of service. The one is indiscriminate, and falls alike on the evil and the good; the other is a nice discerner of character, and apportions remunerations to worth. The one is deceptive, and leads you to conclude on religion where it does not exist; the other shows you things as they are with unerring certainty. The one is deadly, it not only has no life, its tendency is to destroy life where it is; while the other is vivacious, where it is there is life, to that life it imparts additional vigour; it has an expansive power which prepares it for emergency, and teaches it to gather confidence from difficulty, and life from exertion. This is true with remarkable uniformity. Endowment withers every thing it touches. Endow a Royal Academy, my Lord, and Genius disappears; and commonplace men are drawn together, who wash each other's hands and repeat each other's praises, while the world leaves them to their monopoly and their insignificance. Endow a hospital, and Charity seeks some other sphere where she may offer voluntary service and spontaneous sympathy; while her place is filled by perfunctory persons who crave the place, not to pity the miserable, but to live in comfort.. Endow a church, and Religion declines and withers and dies; and formality, worldliness, and ultimately infidelity, take its place; except as this may be prevented by the action of different and extrinsic causes." A Brief Memoir of the late Rev. Richard Davis, of Walworth; with a Sketch of the Sermon delivered on occasion of his death, by the Rev. F. A. Cox, LL. D., and selections from the Manuscripts of the E deceased. Compiled by his Son, the Rev. JOHN DAVIS. pp. 274--Wight man. Our departed friend, the subject of this Memoir, was extensively known and much respected. In consequence of his repeated removals to different stations, and his numerous journies for the assistance of religious institutions, perhaps there were few ministers of his day who had occupied so many pulpits both in and out of the denomination to which he was attached. In perusing this account, it becomes obvious that to Mr. Davis the journey through this to a better world was not exempt from difficulty. It is evident that he was not altogether a stranger to trying dispensations and seasons of heaviness. Mercy, however, was always in advance of his steps, assisted him to surmount every impediment, and threw around the closing scene a soft and sacred radiance. It certainly was not amongst the least of those favours by which the deceased was distinguished that he should have had the happiness, before he dropped his mantle, to witness the introduction of four of his sons to the christian ministry. Three of these, at this time, sustain the pastoral relation; to the eldest of whom we are indebted for the affectionate and instructive memorial now under observation, and which we cordially recommend to the attention of our readers. 66 on Besides the memoir and funeral sermon, the volume before us contains an outline of seven sermons found among the manuscripts of the late Mr. Davis; essays 66 on the compassion of Christ," and walking with God," "notices of religious experience;" and an 66 obituary of Eliza Davis," one of his daughters. The work is concluded with a selection of twenty-three of his letters, and sentences extracted from several others. To induce attention to the entire publication, and for the benefit of those who may not have an opportunity of seeing it, we insert these "select sentences." "It has been my general maxim through life to incur no avoidable expenses, and then to cherish a hope that an indulgent Providence would furnish me with the means to meet those which were unavoidable; in which hope, through Divine goodness, I have not been disappointed." "Talent or wealth, where it is possessed, or anything else that is highly valued among men,is nothing to an evangelical dissenting minister, or acandidate for that office, compared with his reputation." "I have lived long enough to see that one enemy can do me more harm than many friends can do me good. It is therefore an unspeakable satisfaction to know, when we are suffering from the unkindness of any, that it is unmerited; he maketh even his enemies to be at for when a man's ways please the Lord, peace with him.” They and they only are safe whom God keeps; and we ought each of us to hear a voice, in such a melancholy case, * saying, “ I also have kept thee from evil.” Life, health, and every thing with which we are favoured, are real blessings when we enjoy and glorify the infinitely blessed Giver in the use which we make of them; and then only. Our daily prayer, for ourselves, and all our beloved children is, that we may indeed glorify our God here, and enjoy him together for ever hereafter." "I have no hope in people, much in God;' need almost to be a minister's constant motto." "It is our province not to force Providence, but to follow it; and say to our heavenly Father: Thou shalt choose our inheritance for us.' 999 "We are such short-sighted worms of the earth and the Great Head of the church so perfectly sees the end from the beginning,' that it is an unspeakably dispensable obligation, to refer all our valuable immunity, as well as an inconcern to him, saying, 'Thou shalt choose our inheritance for us."" "Those who are truly prepared for a safe and peaceful death, are the only persons fitted to live a happy and useful life." "We know that every thing upon earth is uncertain, and therefore wish ever to feel that the brightest scene may soon become cloudy, and impenetrably dark.” Disappointments in various ways are a part of the common lot of man in the present state. Through infinite goodness, the believer in Christ suffers none in any way in him. He does for all those who are truly one with him, 'exceeding abundantly above all they can ask or think."" *A case of scandal upon a religious profession. Montague: or, is this Religion? By C.B. TAYLER, M.A.-London: Smith, Elder & Co. 12mo. We shall not tarry, on the present occasion, to discuss the question of the amount of good or ill which may accrue from what are termed religious novels, knowing that, after all, our readers will be guided in this, as in some other questions of taste, more by their own inclinations than by any of our grave editorial remarks, premising only that, for our own parts, we greatly prefer facts to fables. The design of the book is to exhibit, partly by contrast and partly by the evil consequences attendant upon such discipline, the wretchedness of what may be termed an austerely religious education, in which the constituent elements are stern severity and pharisaical pride, accompanied with a scrupulous exaction of the form of godliness, and an Antinomian recklessness as to its power. The scenes in general are well depicted; but it strikes us that some of the transitions are too sudden and unnatural. Still it is what would be called "" an interesting book," and the publishers have certainly done their part to render it attractive. Jessamine Cottage: being a Domestic Narrativee of the happy Death of a Mother and Four Children. By a Young Minister. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co. 32mo. Our readers will find this a very touching and interesting tale, by an eye-witness; for the author tells us that this is no fiction. He has, it seems, an instinctive aversion from every thing partaking of the character of a religious novel, soberly reflecting that whatever is added to the simple truth "does in reality detract so much from the intrinsic value of such performances." The story is related is something of the style of Legh Richmond's admirable tracts, of which the reader cannot fail to be reminded; and will form a suitable accompaniment to "the Annals of the Poor," either as a neat little present to some of our young friends, or as a reward book for the Sabbath-school. We would recommend the author to expunge the term "domestic" from the titlepage, in another edition, as unnecessary, it being implied in the words which immediately follow. The Picture Bible for the Young; Genesis to Deuteronomy. London: Tract Society. This is one of the most attractive little volumes we have ever seen. The narratives are given in the words of Scripture, and the engravings are executed in a very neat and superior style. We know no volume more adapted to impress Scripture history on the youthful mind, and as such we strongly recommend it to parents and teachers. Practical Lectures on Parental Responsibility, and the Religious Education of Children. By S. R. HALL, of he Seminary fo Teachers, Andovert, America. Tract Society. Journal of Travels in South Africa, among the Hottentot and other Tribes, in the years 1812, 1813, and 1814. By JOHN CAMPBELL. Abridged by the Author.-Tract Society. A neat and judicious abridgment of an interesting work. The Saint's Pocket Book: being a short View of the great and precious Promises of the Gospel, &c. By the Rev. Joseph Alleine, Author of the Alarm to the Unconverted; with a Sketch of his Life. pp. 161.-Book Society Such of our readers as are acquainted with the value of this work will be much gratified by its re-appearing in this very neat and cheap edition. And to those who may not hitherto have had the privilege of becoming familiar with its contents, we would earnestly recommend its perusal. OBITUARY. MRS. MARY BERRY. : the simplicity of apostolic times there was no church or pastor, but the disciples assembled with one accord in one place; their prayers were heard. They were built up a people to show forth the praises of the Lord. A few, to the number of six only, were joined together in the sacred band, when Mr. Hopper, a minister from Nottingham, administered the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper to the newly-constituted church. Mrs, Mary Berry was born at Stannington, about three miles from Sheffield, in the year 1768. Her childhood was marked with all the varieties that are incident to immaturity. Her subsequent history does not supply a remarkable instance of a sudden awakening of the heart to a sense of guilt, so much as a gradual bent of mind to divine things. She was in the habit of attending on the word with her parents in a house at Storrs, which was supplied occasionally by Methodist and Indepen-place and the people, and was very soon dent ministers. (The late Mr. Thorpe, of Bristol, preached his first sermon there.) From about fifteen years of age she became a constant worshipper, and began to read her bible, and engage in secret prayer. About this period of her life, she was thrown by the good hand of Providence into a pious family, who maintained the sentiments of the Baptists. There was no stated place of worship then in Sheffield, and the number of Baptists was so small that it is probable they knew not that others entertained the same opinion with themselves. Her master, with the whole of his household, was to be seen on the sabbath, repairing to the dissenting interest at Stannington, a distance of several miles; but as the sentiments of the minister there were fast verging on Arianism,* her good master withdrew his family, and came to Sheffield and regularly, sat under the ministry of Mr. Brewer. Mrs. Berry became attached to the It afterwards baptized with some others, It was here that her acquaintance with Mr. Thomas Berry commenced, which, in about three years afterwards, led to their happy marriage. Mr. Berry was then a young man of rather promising ability, but as yet had no thoughts Christian ministry; nor was it proposed of entering upon the sacred office of the to him until about two years after their It was here that Mrs. Berry became union, when an opening was made, by more decidedly attentive to religion. the liberality of some friends, for sendThe good work it is believed had alreadying him to Mr. Fawcett, of Eywood begun, but the seed that was sown needed ripening into fruit before the graces of the Spirit could be developed. She often referred with pleasure to the enjoyment she felt while under Mr. B's ministry; and, having in her younger days a very retentive memory, she had stored her mind with the truths of the gospel, which in after life were frequently brought into requisition. Some short time after this it was rumoured that a small room had been opened in Milk Street by a sect called the Baptists, and Mrs. Berry's curiosity led her to the place. A few pious individuals there met for prayer and exhortation in all *This chapel is now in the possession of the Unitarians. Hall; after which he spent some time in London, supplying a destitute church, from which he received a call to become their pastor, and also, at the same time, from the church, at Henley, in Staffordshire. He was induced to accept the latter invitation, and he removed to that place with his family. Here he conti nued for nearly nine years, when he received a pressing call from the church at Tuthill Stairs, Newcastle, where he spent the remainder of his short career. He died on the 1st of January, 1804. Mrs. Berry was thus left a widow with five infant children, without the means of meeting their wants. Her spirits which had been buoyant through her past troubles now began to sink, and she was bordering upon despair; when He, that feeds the ravens, and clothes the lily, regarded her condition, and raised up friends to assist her with a liberality exceeding the most sanguine expectations. She then removed to Shef-, field, and entered upon a business which she carried on until within a year and a half of her death. Her path was often strewed with difficulties, but she was always able to surmount them. Her bereavements men frequent and of the most tender kind, but she never forsook the Source of all comfort, clinging closer and closer under every stroke of his hand. A murmur never escaped her lips. While the tears gushed from her eyes she would chide her griefs with the humbling but consoling declaration, "Be still, and know that I am God;" and she would instantly fall prostrate with submission to his sovereign will. Repeated shocks of this nature shattered her once vigorous frame; those who knew her in the latter days of her life only, knew little of the activity which she aforetime manifested in the great work which lay so near her heart. She lived to spend and be spent in the service of her Redeemer. Her benevolent heart suffered her not to rest a moment, if any opportunity was presented of being able to do good, sympathizing in the distresses of any to whom she stood related by natural ties, and with those (still dearer to her,) who were her brethren in Christ Jesus. It was in proportion to the moral worth of individuals that she would estimate them; and therefore all who loved the Saviour shared in her best wishes and prayers. Yet her kindness was not confined exclusively to these; any who made a call upon either her time or her charity were sure of obtaining some benefit. Her hands have smoothed many a dying pillow and administered to the necessities of the sick, while her tongue was busied in pouring on the troubled soul the balm of consolation, or supplicating the divine throne on behalf of the sufferer. Of her it might be said with propriety, that it was her "meat and her drink to do the will of her Father which is in heaven." Any sacrifice of personal comfort was cheerfully yielded up, if by that the lot of suffering humanity could be alleviated. Truly she was " a mother in Israel," and was eminently adapted to the sphere in which she was called to move. was in the habit of reading much. The old authors were her favourites, amongst whom Watts stood high in her estimation. On finishing the reading of his world to come, she intimated that She even he could not tell all that would be realised in the participation of it, the reality so far transcended the descriptions of his mighty mind. She was in the habit of reading the scriptures in a consecutive manner, and even during the latter end of her life had read the bible entirely through twice over; and was beginning it the third time when she died. On completing her task she would say, "I like it better every time I read it, there are so many beauties that I did not see before ;" she would then point out in a clear manner some of the striking peculiarities which so preeminently stamp it, The Word of God. The day on which she died (July 14th, 1833) she arose earlier than usual, in order to indulge in a longer course on reading, preparatory to her attending of divine worship. She went to chapel in good health apparently, and returned home again quite animated, talking as she went about the sermon she had heard. In the afternoon she attended service in the open air, and was at the chapel again for the evening service; she returned about nine o'clock, before ten she was a corpse! Her last moments necessarily precluded any in. tercourse with her, labouring as she did under the effects of apoplexy, but the few moments that she could articulate anything she was concerned not to be troublesome to others, requesting them not to alarm any one. Her last words were, "I shall be better shortly;" she was correct; her happy spirit soon entered into rest, and has now realised all the enjoyments of the "world to come. For some days previous to this it was remarked, by several of her friends, that there was a more than ordinary spiritualmindedness manifested by her. Her conversation ran entirely on divine things; and whenever she became interrupted by other remarks, she involuntarily fell back again to the same strain of pious thought there seemed to be a growing preparedness for the great change. As a member of society she was particularly concerned to "owe no man any thing." She was much beloved for her integrity and uprightness of heart, and it secured the confidence of all; while her kindness and suavity of manner rendered her admonitions and advice always acceptable. As a mother she loved almost to excess. Her children's welfare was the concern of her heart every day of her existence. Her counsel and advice, where her experience was of some worth, were constantly bestowed. Their |