the talents of the preacher assume all their strength, his arguments would become demonstrative, and his exhortations prove irresistible.

Charity sermons are indeed by no means favourable to the cultivation of the true species of pulpit eloquence. Unless christian charity be invariably recommended on christian motives, the custom of preaching for charities tends to induce habits which will be found unhappily subversive of the great ends of christian teaching. Sermons prove mere spouting; declamation is substituted for exhortation; preachers are but players. Gospel preachers should stand, however, if they feel themselves to be such, with an exalted serenity and an affecting majesty: they should, indeed, stand

as some inimitable hand Would strive to make a Paul, or Tully, stand!'

Now the Rev. Mr. White seems not of this class. Although he is manly as to person, and interesting in his delivery, he carries with him much of studied gesture, and laboured address, into the pulpit. Enough there seemed of complacent confidence, in the folding of his arms with a reclining negligence; and in that assumed loftiness, coupled with an effort to seem devout,

which, however it may be admired, the genuine preacher would strive most to avoid.

His language demands praise; many of his figures also are found striking; but his apostrophes utterly fail. Apostrophe, if good, must be extempore. Imagine an orator, rhetorically contemplated, apostrophising philanthropy; and, during this appeal, sometimes looking, where he ought to look, upwards, but yet frequently compelled to glance, where he ought not to glance, downwards to his sermon-case, during the most sublimely affecting passages of his apostrophe! Such has been the sad fate of the Rev. Mr. White; and must be the fate of those who preach by book.

Reasoning is not one of those qualifications for which Mr. White is eminent. Expounding is with preachers one main point; and yet what numbers stop at propounding! How few rightly divide, properly elucidate, fully apply their texts! Here the present preacher comes short. He does not clear and point out, if we may say it, the way, the truth, and the life.'

Some of the followers of this popular clergyman may be offended at this sketch. Yet the writer has no aim but truth, and as to Mr. White wishes him well. He would wish, for him, more of that spiritualized intellectuality,-that force

of truth, that glow of soul,-which irresistibly finds its way, at all times, to all hearts. But this is the inestimable boon of that Being who clothes his priests with salvation,' and who satiates their souls with fatness; who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire!'

Considered however as one of the few efficient preachers in the cause, and at the call, of benevolence, the Rev. Mr. White's pretensions are unquestionably of a superior description. His figure and features are striking; his manner is pleasing; his language is highly correct, and even graceful; whilst his voice, which is clear as full, touches, in its breaks, the true chord. seems his forte. This then proves his and thus he does good.

6

Here

gift ;'

WATTS WILKINSON, M. A.

RELIGION was predominant in the breasts of our pious ancestors, a sober christian race;' whose institutions are so many perpetual memorials, at least as far as human power could make them so, that they did not think one day in seven, however decently observed, quite sufficient for the great business of salvation. Hence the number of week-day lectureships, founded by our fathers, the high benefit of which thousands have felt; and the establishment of which, amidst the haunts of traffick, no person of serious mind can contemplate without true gratitude of heart. Episcopalians and dissenters have, agreeing in principle, each bequeathed such institutions. They stand as beacons to warn souls! They are as light to our feet, and serve as lamps to our path. Our candlestick' shines. The light that is in us, is not dark:-let us take heed, and walk by this light.

Watts Wilkinson, M. A. is from Worcester College, Oxford. He is Chaplain to the Haberdashers' Company, in which capacity he

preaches on the Sabbath, Morning and Evening, at the Chapel of their Alms' Houses: he is also Sunday Afternoon Lecturer to the united parishes of St. Mary Aldermary and St. Thomas the Apostle, in Watling Street; and he has been, for many years, the Tuesday Morning Lecturer at St. Bartholomew by the Bank, where his most valued sermons have been preached. This lecture is styled, by way of distinction, the Golden Lecfrom the circumstance of the lecturer's remuneration having been directed to be perpetually paid to him in guineas, since the workman is worthy of his hire.'

ture;

High as the present preacher has stood in the estimation of what is termed the religious part of the world, it may seem problematical to assert that his pulpit talents are comparatively but little known. One remark will explain this. Restricting his exertions to the established church, and having preached chiefly in the city, his worth has not been so generally appreciated by the inhabitants of our extended and extending metropolis. The city is less favourable than formerly to high cleric worth. Thus are great preachers now hid, where once preachers first were known. Our sun rose in the east, and may set in the

west.

Mr. Wilkinson is (characterised conformably

VOL. II.

K