and we give this public notice, in | order that we may not be deemed accessory to the disappointment of those who take it up with this view. But The Family Visitor has, nevertheless, a valuable and important object. It is designed to suggest to the visitors themselves the most suitable topics for conversation; and, thus, to relieve them from difficulties, which may perhaps be frequently and painfully experienced. And the author has a strong claim to the gratitude of the members of Bible Associations, for having made the first attempt to assist them in this difficult and momentous part of their duty. With what success the tempt has been made, we shall now enable our readers to judge.

perusal of those who move in the superior walks of life, and are consequently rather above the reach of personal admonition. It would be well if every application on behalf of the Bible Society, made to persons of this class, were accompanied with a copy of The Family Visitor. The gift would derive by no means the smallest part of its value from the few lines in which the author adverts to one of the most pernicious delusions of the present day. It is a subject, indeed, on which we wish he had spoken much more largely.

"Allow me carefully to guard you against supposing that your contriat-buting to such institutions necessarily implies your personal attachment to the Bible, and your interest in the blessings it reveals. The support of Bible Societies is the fashion of the day; and many, it is to be feared, merely on this account, give them their countenance, while they never seriously consider what the Bible contains, or the necessity of a personal interest in the glorious prospects it unfolds." P.62.

In pursuance of his design, our author has, in the first place, said many very serious things, tending to impress the mind with a sense of personal guilt, with the danger of thoughtlessness, and the inefficiency of self-righteous labours. He then proceeds to urge the necessity of practical godliness, and goes into a particular detail of the duties arising from the domestic relations. He discovers much good sense, judicious piety, and an affectionate desire to do good: and, though we do not mean to recommend The Family Visitor as a model, we think much valuable assistance may be derived

from it.

As usefulness is the sole object of the tract, we shall not trouble our readers with verbal criticisms. One slip of the pen, however, we are persuaded the author will thank us for pointing out, because it involves a contradiction of himself, and exhibits him in a very suspicious light. Speaking of the plea for sinful indulgences, sometimes attempted to be drawn from the doctrines of grace, he says,

Most heartily do we join issue with every man who condemns this abuse, p. 23. Our author certainly did not recollect, at the moment, that to join issue with a man, in argument, is to deny and engage to disprove the position he maintains.

Before we close our account of this tract, we must express our opinion, that it is well adapted for the

To the kind of circulation to which we have referred, the neatness both of the language and the typography renders The Family Visitor perfectly suitable.

A Scripture Help, to assist in reading the Bible profitably. By the Rev. Edward Bickersteth. With Maps, 12mo. pp. 212.

THE clergyman, who has compiled this little work, has most diligently, crowded an immense number of particulars into a few pages. We rejoice, that by such means, much valuable information will be widely communicated to the public. Reader, dost thou possess a Bible? dost thou read it? understandest thou, what thou readest?" Perhaps thy answer must be in the words of the Ethiopean, "How can I, except some man should guide me," Acts, viii. 30, 31. Chapter 1, explains the value of the Bible. 2. The importance of studying it. 3. The necessity of divine assistance. Short observations on each book. 5. Remarks on the law and the gos

4.

"Hebrew Lexicons are very numerous: we may reckon as very useful:

pel. 6. On the Jewish state. 7. | one, desirous of learning Hebrew, Peculiar expressions. 8. On scrip- who can read Latin. ture difficulties. 9. Summary of As an introductory book, Dr. divine truth. 10. Why reading is James Robertson's Clavis Pentateufrequently attended with little ad- chi is a valuable work; so is Bythvantage. 11. Practical rules. 12. neri Lyra Prophetica, which is a Scripture prayer. 13. An address | grammatical resolution of the Psalms, to persons in different stations. 14. and, at the end of which, is a short, A chronological table. 15. General but excellent Hebrew Grammar. remarks on the history of the world. We had not read far, before we thought we perceived, in a note, the hand of an excellent minister of our denomination, at Norwich. As the list, he has given, appears to be highly valuable to biblical students, we shall here transcribe it. To those, who are desirous of reading the Hebrew Bible, and the Greek Testament, it will be doubly interesting. "A friend of the writer, on whose judgment he can entirely rely, has been kind enough to add the following list of books, for beginners in each language:

Grammars. The Westminster Greek Grammar (in Latin) or Bell's, or Jones's, which are in English.

Lexicons. Dawson's Greek and Latin Lexicon is very useful to the learner who has not a master at hand, as it gives a resolution of all the various parts of the nouns, adjectives, pronouns, and verbs, which are in the New Testament; besides giving the roots of indeclinable words, with a short account of their usual meaning.

But, for the purpose of a critical acquaintance with the sense and application of the words, the learner will derive great assistance from Schleusneri Lex. Gr. and Lat. which is incomparably the best Lexicon of the Greek Testament that we have. If he cannot read Latin, he may be assisted by Parkhurst's Greek Lexicon; and by G. Ewing's Lexicon.

For the Hebrew, the learner will find Dr. Caleb Ashworth's Hebrew Grammar, republished by Yeates, and frequently called Yeates's Grammar useful. But Dr. James Robertson's Grammatica Hebræa is, from the acquaintance of the learned author, with the Oriental dialects, and the application of his extensive literature to the subject of Hebrew Grammar, a very superior work, and should be diligently studied by every

"Buxtorfii Lexicon Heb. et Chal. which will give the learner, the sense of every word in the Bible, according to the Jewish interpretations.

"Johan. Simonis Lexic. Manuale Heb. et Chald. This is an excellent work. The last edition, the fourth, by Eichhorn, includes many criticisms from J. D. Michaelis and others, by which, it is much enriched, with valuable observations, on matters which were not discovered in Buxtorf's time.

Parkhurst's Hebrew Lexicon has the advantage, to the mere English scholar, of being in a language which he understands; and contains much curions and valuable erudition. But his plan of reading Hebrew without points; and his theory of the language, in many respects, besides his Hutchinsonian sentiments, which frequently occur in his Lexicon, appear to some Hebrew scholars, drawbacks from the merit of what they think would otherwise be an excellent work.

There is also a valuable old work called Leigh's Critica Sacra, which is a lexicon of both the Hebrew of the Old Testament, and of the Greek of the New, and is very useful. A supplement was afterwards published, which the learner would do well to obtain with the work, if he can.

"A popular useful work on the Hebrew language, was published in 1654, by Mr. Robertson, with the quaint title of the First Gate, or, Outer Door to the Holy Tongue; and the Second Gate, or, Inner Door. The first is a grammar, and the resolution of different parts of the Hebrew Bible, as examples to the learner. The second is a lexicon, followed by an additional number of passages resolved in English. The grammar is imperfect, and needs the

or ill conduct of this class of society, renders it more interestingly important, that as many good servants as possible should be formed from the rising generation of females: that those who are valuable should be duly appreciated: that denial of errors should be forgiven, to prevent more serious evils; and that all, who are intrusted with domestic management, should feel it their duty to endeavour, that the general sum of female character, and therefore of social comfort, shall not be diminished by any portion of it passing through their hands. The safety of our persons and property is much intrusted with them. From their industry and good temper, we derive a daily satisfaction. On their virtue and modesty, the virtue, perhaps, of our own sons and daughters may be suspended. And, as children form a component part of most families, to have their growing minds

THIS small publication, by a very respectable clergyman, is not only designed, but adapted, to do much good. Every sentiment of piety, every patriotic feeling, all our hopes of the rising generation, all the tender charities of domestic life, impel us to recommend to the most serious attention of the Christian public, the subject which is here discussed. The late Dr. Stennett, in his ex-improved, by the good example of cellent volume, on Domestic Duties, has shown that the best qualities of a good servant are, humility, fidelity, diligence, and cheerfulness. And these are the virtues plainly, but powerfully, recommended by Mr. Watkins. But, by an extract from the table of contents, the reader will see what topics are handled, in this address to the heads of families. Complaints-Difficulties and dangers Depravity-Frequent changes -Apprentices and other male servants-Authority, equity,

66

her whom they are continually seeing and hearing, is a consideration that will weigh with every wellinstructed mother. Who is there that has not a most anxious wish, that his children, may, as little as possible,come in contact with vicious tempers and expressions. Yet, children must, of necessity, be intrusted to servants, on many occasions. It is a very serious concern, therefore, for society in general, that ordinary servants may be improved, as far as each householder's care and conduct: thy-Mental improvement-Self-go- can do it, and that good ones may: vernment-Condescending deport- be preserved and protected, as valua ment-Sudden dismissals-Vigilant ble acquisitions." pp. 2, 3, 4. superintendance Co-operation Benevolence and gratitude-Sabbath-day- Example-Family religion-Servants from the countryIngenuousness Liberality The behaviour of children-Truth-Caution and kindness-ConfederacyCharacter."

sympa

As a fair specimen of the author's manner, we transcribe the following valuable remarks:

A Word to the Wise, addressed to

Sinners, Hearers of the Gospel.
Four pages, 1s. 6d. per hundred.
Button..

WE are glad to see this small tract reprinted, as it is very suitable for circulation among persons who begin to attend the preaching of the gospel! The subjects of which it treats, are faith, baptism, and the Lord's supper. It is composed almost entirely of " the words which the Holy Ghost teacheth:" and is admirably adapted to instruct inquirers to walk' in" the good old way."

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

Preparing for Publication.

Mr. T. Williams is preparing for the press, an Essay on Religious Liberty; in which will be considered-The primitive terms of communion-The right of private judgment--The nature of Christ's kingdom, and the horrid effects of into

lerance.

A Collection of Letters, from Printed Books and MSS. suited to children and youth, selected by John Brown, Minister of the Gospel, Whitburn.

In the press, a Stereotype Edition, 4to. of Brown's Self-Interpreting Bible.

An Essay on the Being of God, and his Attributes of Infinite Power, Wisdom, and Goodness; stating and refuting the Objections to his Wisdom and Goodness, from Reason and Revelation; and draw Mr. Ivimey is preparing for publica-ing the most useful practical Inferences tion, a new edition of Bunyan's Pilgrim's from the whole Subject, to which BurProgress, with illustrative Notes, HISTO-net's First Prize of £1200 was ajudged, RICAL and experimental, with a copious Life of the Author. It is expected that this edition will be peculiarly acceptable to the denomination of which Mr. Bunyan was so distinguished a preacher and wri

ter.

August 4, 1815. To which is prefixed, a Biographical Sketch of Mr. Burnett's Life. By W. L. Brown, D.D. Principal of Marischal College, Aberdeen.

The Rev. Dr. Hawker has nearly come

pleted his Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, with the Text at large. Part 37 is just published, and the Work will be finished in 40 Parts.-An Edition

Mr. Kinghorn is preparing a Second Edition of his work, entitled, Baptism, a Term of Communion at the Lord's Table. A new Number of the Periodical Ac-of a smaller size, without the Text, is counts of the Baptist Mission, (No. 29,) also printed, at a very moderate price. containing twenty-six specimens of the Eastern Languages, may be expected in a few days.

The History of the Mission, of the United Brethren, to the Danish WestIndia Islands, in 1.vol. 8vo. price 12s. (translated from the German,) will be put to press as soon as a sufficient number of subscribers shall be obtained to defray the expense of publishing. Subscribers' names will be received by Mr. Seeley, 169, Fleet-street; Mr. Le Febure, at the Society's House, Neville's-court,

Fetter-lane.

On the 1st of May, will be published, in 1 vol. 8vo. price 8s. A Concise System of Self-Government in the great affairs of Life and Godliness, on Scriptural and Rational Principles. By J. Edmondson.

The Second Edition of the Life of Mrs. Harriet Newell, with a portrait; and an Account of the American Missionary Society, will be ready in the course of a few days.

Mrs. Lee, of Wallingford, has nearly ready for publication, a Work entitled The Sunday Reader; consisting of a Selection of Sermons, addressed to Youth, from the Works of Jay, Cooper, Horne, &c. adapted to the Use of Schools and Families.

Eighteen Sermons, in One Volume, 8vo, selected from the MSS. of the Rev.

Philip Henry, A. M. including the last
Sermon which he preached. To which
will be added, the Funeral Sermon for
Mr. Henry, preached by the Rev. F.
Tallents, A. M.

A Collection of Hymns; including
Fellowes's Hymns on Baptism. Second
Edition. By the Rev. J. Upton. 3s. 6d.

The Portsea Collection of Missionary and Devotional Hymns. By a Friend to Missions. Price 1s. 6d.

NOTICES OF MEETING.

The Wilts and Somerset half-yearly Association will be held at Crokerton, on the last Tuesday of the present month. Mr. Edminson is expected to preach in the morning, and Mr. Saunders in the evening.

The West Kent Union, for Village Preaching, will meet at Mr. Ralph's Meeting House, Mardstone, on Tuesday the 9th of April, 1816. Mr. Kent, of Gravesend, and Mr. Shirley of Seven: Oaks, to preach.

Missionary Retrospect, and Foreign Intelligence.