SINGLE SERMONS.

Art. 52. Preached in the Parish Church of Clare, in Suffolk, at the Presentation of the Colours to the Military Association of that Place, June 26, 1799, by C. Hayward, Vicar of Haverhill, Suffolk. 8vo. IS. Robinsons.

While this author deprecates infidelity, perhaps some readers may think that he almost inclines to persecution: we will presume no such thing, but allow that he presents very seasonable and useful admonitions to his associated military audience. With great propriety, he warns them not to neglect careful attention to the business and duties of their respective stations in the world; nor, while they are applauded for their spirit and the rectitude of their motives in their new capacity, to suffer themselves to be careless and indolent in other most necessary and important instances. The text, Nehem. iv. 13. 17. furnishes a hint of this kind, which the preacher suitably and with some animation seizes and improves.

Art. 53. Preached in the Church of All Saints, Northampton, at the Visitation of the Archdeacon of the Diocese of Peterborough, 8th May 1799, by Christopher Hunter, B. D. 8vo. Is. Nicol. The concluding paragraph of this discourse may give the reader a competent view of its scope and tendency. Since there are many, who through negligence and inattention, examine not the evidences of revelation; since there are many, whose pride, and whose prejudices attract them more strongly to difficultics than to proofs, and to objections than to the answers which have been given them; since there are many, lastly, infatuated by vicious pleasures, and consequently, disinclined to expect, or even to think of a future judgment: it is not unaccountable that there now exists among men so Bitter an opposition to Christianity."--Mr. Hunter has not distinguished the love of singularity among the causes which he enumerates but we may suppose that to be included under the article of pride.

The preacher has chosen the following title for this sermon ;• Scepticism not separable from Immorality; illustrated in the Instances of Hume and Gibbon.'-How far the implication here intended, and which is farther pursued in the discourse, is perfectly just, it does not belong to us to inquire; and may not, perhaps, become any man, frail and fallible as all are, confidently to decide. If by scepticism be meant doubt or uncertainty on some particular subject, that may surely be the lot of some who not only inquire for truth, but who are also firm believers in divine revelation. It is to be lamented that two such men as Hume and Gibbon, who have proved that they were well able to entertain and instruct mankind, should have suffered themselves in any instance to mislead them; and should have appeared unfriendly, if not hostile, to the cause of Christianity: but their ill-directed labours have produced additional support to its interest.-The present sermon leads us carefully to attend to these evidences and arguments, and may therefore be read to advantage.

Art. 54. Preached at Northleach, Gloucestershire, at the Visitation of the Rev. James Webster, LL. B. Archdeacon of Gloucester;

and

and published at his Request, and that of the several Clergy present, by the Rev. J. Hare, A. M. 4to. Is. Rivingtons. 1799. Priesthood and Priests, words so often re-iterated in this discourse, are not in themselves of the most grateful sound, and certainly not very congruous to the design and spirit of Christianity. Its great founder, we conceive, abrogated all such distinction respecting any particular class of men; and consecrated, in one sense, every one who receives his doctrine, a priest, to offer unto God spiritual sacrifices by a pious, virtuous, charitable temper and life.-Some modern voyages and travels, to advance no higher, afford us reason to hesitate concerning the assertion here pronounced with a sort of confidence;- Into whatever country we cast our eyes, we find priests, altars, sacrifices, holy festivals and religious ceremonies.'-Nor can we apprehend, with this writer, that the mere ceremonial or official appointments delivered to the Israelites or Jews can have any authority as to the guidance of Christians. For the wisest reasons, they were ordered for that antient and remarkable people; and, so long as their peculiar œconomy lasted, they were undoubtedly obligatory on them as the express directions of God: but the more noble revelation of the gospel has removed them out of the for ever.

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Mr. Hare seems also, we must observe, nearly to confound the rites and observances of heathenish idolatry and superstition with that simplicity of worship, that sincerity, piety, and truth, which the author of the Christian faith, has inculcated. Those sublime and instructive sentiments concerning God, his will, and our duty, which we have thus received, are utterly remote from all ideas and principles concerning heathen gods, heathen ceremonies, and observances :-a remark which may with great justice be applied to the Old Testament, as it certainly must to the New.-When popery was unhappily regarded as Christianity itself, rather than its enormous abuse, we are not much surprized, though we may greatly lament, that those who clearly saw its impositions and absurdities should very rashly and blameably reject both the religion itself and the system thus founded on it. The doctrine of Christ needs not the aid of human invention and parade :—yet we perfectly agree to the appointment and support of Christian ministers for general assistance and edification.

This discourse is, on the whole, very well written, and discovers some classical learning; yet, in our view, its most useful and practical part is formed by an extract from the works of Archbishop Sharpe, with which it is concluded.

Art. 55. Delivered to the Congregation of Protestant Dissenters at Billericay, on occasion of being excluded from the Meeting-house for professing Unitarian Principles, Oct. 21, 1798, by Richard Fry. 8vo. Is. 6d. Conder.

This discourse proclaims the author to be a man of sense and learning, and, which is more estimable, of piety, integrity, and candour.. It is remarkable that, for the greater part of his life, he had been warmly attached to the doctrines generally termed calvinistic; and it is only within a few years past that some doubts were started, which led him to a more close and diligent investigation of the subject: the consequence of which is mentioned above.

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To the sermon, is subjoined an appendix, which constitutes by far the chief part of the pamphlet: it contains, in letters, some statements of sentiments, and a narrative of the event.'-In these letters, as also in the sermon, are reflections and remarks which demand the attention of those who are, or would be, lovers of truth in general, or of scripture-truth in particular. They concur with many other writings to prove,-frequently, alas! to little purpose, the reasonableness, the importance, and the necessity of mutual forbearance, liberality, and charity among rational beings, and especially Christians. How far it had been adviseable for Mr. Fry to have withdrawn himself sooner; or how far it might be expedient to continue in a private dwelling his ministerial offices; these are inquiries to which our province does not extend: though, judging from the pamphlet, we should incline to conclude (his peculiar opinions out of the question) that he is influenced by a regard to rectitude, and to benevolence. No shame in suffering for the truth is the title of the sermon; and, guided by the narrative, whence our sole knowlege of the affair is drawn, we apprehend that, so far from suffering any disgrace, the author stands in a respectable and honorable point of view.

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Is. 6d.

Wallis.

Art. 56. Preached at the Parish Church of St. Mary in Truro, before the Governors of the Cornwall General Infirmary; on its being opened for the reception of Patients, August 12, 1799. By Cornelius Cardew, D. D. 4to. A very suitable discourse, on an important and rather an extraordinary occasion; as it is somewhat remarkable that a county, so situated as Cornwall, should not have hitherto been provided with a general hospital. This desirable purpose is now accomplished; and we hope that, in various ways, its beneficial effects will be experienced. Dr. Cardew, with much good sense and pious animation, pleads with . his audience for a cheerful and liberal attention to a charity which has 30 much to recommend it. It appears that the humanity and active perseverance of Lord De Dunstanville and Basset has been the chief instrument in conducting it to its present advanced state.' Art. 57. Delivered in the Church of Allmondbury, Yorkshire, May 16th, 1799, at the Constitution and Dedication of the Allmanns Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons; by the Rev. Richard Munkhouse, · D.D. 8vo. IS. Hurst.

In the Review for December, 1798, p.477, the reader will find an account of a former sermon by this author, delivered before the Lodge of Unanimity at Wakefield. In the present discourse, the

Doctor avoids those masonic terms which he had before used with freedom, and offers just and solid remarks suitable and edifying to any Christian assembly.-Let your light so shine before men, &c. is the subject of his address. He applies the exhortation to different stations, and then more directly to the fraternity of the new lodge: he informs or reminds them, that the truly philanthropic institution, to which they belong, inculcates on them the peculiar precepts of our holy religion, and strenuously enforces its exclusive characteristic obligations; to which he adds These last, being more especially con

nected

nected with the secrets of our order, can only be conscientiously discussed in the privacy and retirement of our lodges.'

Dr. M. warmly rejects the principles, or supposed principles, of the so much boasted lights of their brethern on the Continent.'He inculcates an attention to morality in all its branches, and particularly loyalty to Government. If,' says he, the evangelical precept,' meaning his text, be allowed generally to refer to the characters and behaviour of Christians, I cannot but look on it as having a more especial reference to those who, like you, are formed into societies for the express purposes of advancing the glory of God, and promoting and establishing the comfort and happiness of your fellow-creatures. Your's is avowedly an institution built on the broad basis of universal benevolence.'-Again, he adds, The least the true brethren of the craft can do, in common gratitude for the indulgence of the legislature towards them, is cordially to support the reasonings, and to strengthen, as much as possible, the hands of Government.'

CORRESPONDENCE.

We are obliged to " A young Student" for his letter: but we advise him to desist from the vain attempt of reforming all the Iambic verses in the Tragedies, which, though they end in trisyllables or quasitrisyllables, do not terminate in a Di-iambus.-In the fon, not merely the first line closes thus --- but also v. 22. 65. 278. 318. 362. 366. It is unnecessary to proceed farther. Mr. Porson never intended, we may confidently assert, that his canon should be considered as relating to Iambic verses in general.-The mention of Euripides was not deemed necessary, in p. 183. The omission was by design.

Should any proper opportunity offer, of giving lists of the works of the foreign critics whom this correspondent mentions, we shall not shrink from the task :-but it is impossible to attempt to answer his queries, or to give an account of Terentianus, in the narrow limits to which this part of our work is confined.

If the "Young Student" would trust us with his address, perhaps he would not regret his confidence.

Mr. Lewis is referred to our xx1st. vol. p. 66.-vol. xxiii. p. 287. -vol. xxiv. p.319.—vol. xxvii. p. 168.—and to this number, p. 331.

A packet from America was lately brought to our publisher, but he refused to take it in, on account of the enormous postage charged on it. We imagine that our Correspondents abroad are not aware of the recent alterations in the English post-office, by which all letters and packets, delivered from on board of ship at any of the ports, are made to pay a foreign postage according to their weight.

THE

MONTHLY REVIEW,

For APRIL, 1800.

ART. I. A Missionary Voyage to the Southern Pacific Ocean, performed in the Years 1796, 1797, 1798, in the Ship Duff, commanded by Captain James Wilson. Compiled from Journals of the Officers and Missionaries; and illustrated with Maps, Charts, and Views, drawn by Mr. William Wilson, and engraved by the most eminent artists. With a Preliminary Discourse on the Geography and History of the South Sea Islands; and an Appendix, including Details never before published, of the Natural and Civil State of Otaheite. By a Committee appointed for the Purpose, by the Directors of the Missionary Society. Published for the Benefit of the Society. 4to. 21. 2s. Boards. Chapman. 1799.

THE voyage to the Pacific Ocean, of which we are now to give an account, differs so much from any that have preceded it during the present reign, that it claims a distinct rank to itself. While those which were not of a public nature have been undertaken for commercial advantage alone,-in such as were fitted out under the auspices of his Majesty, discovery has been either wholly or in part the object; excepting those which were performed in order to transplant the bread-fruit tree to the West Indies. Perhaps the latter may class with the present voyage; as being equally unconnected with the advancement of science, and equally designed for ameliorating the condition of our fellow-creatures: with this singular difference, indeed, that the one was intended to confer spiritual and the others temporal benefits; the purpose of this expedition being to impart the blessings of Christianity to unenlightened savages.

The preliminary discourse contains a geographical and historical account of Otaheite, of the Society Islands, of the Friendly Islands, of Navigator's Islands, of the Marquesas, and of some others of less note; in which is collected into one distinct and comprehensive view, the information that was scattered through numerous printed volumes, or was attainable by means of manuscript and verbal communications.'-As the want of a proper guide for the pronunciation of names used by the VOL. XXXI. South