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"Mamma's Gift, or Original Hymns and Short Poems, adapted to the comprehension of Young Minds." Dublin: P. DIXON HARDY and SONS. London: GROOM

BRIDGE.

There are few tasks more difficult, even for those whose minds are imbued with poetic feeling, than to write good poetry, suited to the capacity of children-some of our best poets have failed in the attemptand we are, therefore, well pleased, at any time, to find success attending the efforts of those whose object is to take hold of the early affections, and engage them in the cause of truth and holiness. The little volume before us contains some fifty or sixty short pieces, well calculated to attract the juvenile mind, while, at the same time, they possess very considerable poetic merit. As a specimen, take the following, which although adapted to the comprehension of little children, should make an impression on readers more advanced in life.

HAPPY CHILDREN IN HEAVEN. "What are these which are arrayed in white robes! and whence came they?"-REV. vii. 13.

Around the throne of God in heaven,
Thousands of children stand:
Children, whose sins are all forgiven,
A holy, happy, band,

Singing glory, glory, glory.

In flowing robes of spotless white,
See ev'ry one array'd;
Dwelling in everlasting light,
And joys that never fade,

Singing glory, glory, glory.
Once they were little things like you,
And liv'd on earth below,

And could not praise, as now they do,
The Lord who loved them so,

Singing glory, glory, glory.
What brought them to that world above,
That heaven so bright and fair,
Where all is peace, and joy, and love?
How came those children there,

Singing glory, glory, glory?
Because the Saviour shed his blood
To wash away their sin;
Bath'd in that precious purple flood,
Behold them white and clean,

Singing glory, glory, glory.

On earth they sought the Saviour's grace,
On earth they lov'd his name;
So now they see his blessed face,
And stand before the Lamb,
Singing glory, glory, glory.

THE GARDEN OF THE LORD.
Christ has a little garden got,

A lovely, sweet, and pleasant spot;
The trees and flowers therein that stand,
Are planted by his gentle hand.

This may, perhaps, sound strange to you,
But yet the Bible says 'tis true;
God's children, in his holy word,
Are call'd the garden of the Lord.
By nature, rude and wild they're born,
Just like the briar or the thorn;
But when they're in this garden put,
They turn to trees, producing fruit.
Jesus, upon his garden shines,

And

His

props and rears his tender vines;
grace, like gentle rain is shed,
On every
little drooping head.

Do any children long to be
Planted and water'd, Lord, by thee,
O let them hear thy loving calls,
And come within thy garden walls.
Such children are the tender plants,
Of whom the Lord supplies the wants;
The little, thirsty, drooping flowers,
On whom he pours his choicest showers,
These specimens will say for the little
work more than the longest eulogium we
could pass upon it.

Address of the Rev. Denis Leyne Brasbie, late Roman Catholic Curate of Kilmacheader, to his former Parishioners. At Religious Book and Tract Depository for Ireland, 23, Upper Sackville-street, Dublin.

The providence of God is very strikingly displayed in the counteraction of error. When it flowed in upon the church in a fearful tide, and threatened to overwhelm every vestige of truth, it met with resistance from the very bosom of that ocean of delusion which impelled it forward. Luther arose to unmask its character and prevent its extension. When heartless formality prevailed, and the dead sea of ignorance and vice flowed through the length and breadth of our country, then a Whitfield and a Wesley were raised up from the bosom of the English Church to stem the torrent. And so now, when Popery and its kindred delusion, Puseyism, threaten to overspread the land, from the very focus of error, God is raising up those who are preparing to lift up their voices like trumpets against the "abomination that maketh de solate." In Ireland! Popish Ireland!

several priests of the Romish Church have abandoned that corrupt communion, and avowed their adherence to the doctrines of the Protestant Episcopalian Church. One of their number has recently published some interesting letters addressed to his late parishioners, which we earnestly recommend to all our readers, as calculated to fortify their minds in Protestant, or rather Bible principles, and to give them a striking and correct view of the fearful errors upheld by the Roman Catholic Church. We rejoice to hear that an Institution, called the Priests' Protection Society, has been established in Dublin, in order to prevent the effects of the persecution, to which such converts are exposed. Though we are Dissenters, and firm to our principles, in such effects as these, produced by whatever instrumentality, we "rejoice, yea, and will rejoice."

Laodicea, or Religious Declension; its Nature, Indications, Causes, Consequences, and Remedies. An Essay. By Rev. D. E. FORD, Author of "Decapolis, Chorazin," &c. London: SIMKIN, MARSHALL, and Co.

The author of this very useful, and well written treatise, is already favorably known to the religious public, by several important and happily popular productions. His present work is a very searching, and therefore, as the author in his preface seems to anticipate, may not prove to some, a very acceptable, (though it may be to such a much needed) work. But while medicine may not be gratifying to the palate, it may be necessary, and prove most salutary to the patient. It is to be feared that the spiritually sick amongst us are a very numerous class: and if they can be induced to give this excellent Essay a serious and prayerful perusal, not shrinking from a personal application of its delineations of character when fidelity to themselves requires it, it will do much, with the divine blessing, to restore them to spiritual health. In this treatise, no countenance is given to that injurious theology, which has a tendency to make men less anxious to "maintain good works for necessary uses," but while the grace of the Gospel is fully displayed, the claims of holiness are imperatively asserted. While the work is admirably adapted to meet the spiritual exigencies of the class for which it is specially designed, no Christian can read it, in a suitable state of mind, without deriving benefit from its disclosures and counsels. The author is a mental and moral anatomist of considerable skill. He fearlessly lays open those tumours of sin which deprive the sick in Zion of strength, and threaten them with spiritual

death. If the principles of this little book pervaded the visible Church of Christ, those who are now at ease in Zion would be roused to action-the sinners in it would be afraid, and spiritual religion-the religion of the heart, would make rapid progress in the world. With so much to commend, we feel reluctant to write a word which may be construed into disparagement: and we only do so to give the excellent author an opportunity of considering our animadversions in a future edition. Though the style in general is simple, there are a few words not in ordinary use employed in the work, (which as it is intended for all classes), would have been better exchanged for more familiar terms, such as segregation, &c. It also appears to us, that, when speaking of time spent in closet devotion, the author has not sufficiently considered the temporal circumstances of thousands of devout Christians, who in this day of competition for the "bread that perisheth," cannot command the time they desire, to seek in secret the "bread. that cometh down from heaven." But though we make these strictures, we most cordially commend the work, both to English and Irish readers, as unhappily backsliders are not confined to any one country or section of the Christian Church.

The Investigator; or, an Inquiry into the Nature, Origin, and Scriptural support of the Doctrine of the Personal Reign of Christ on the Earth, for a Thousand Years. By Rev. JAMES SLYE. London: J. SNOW.

It seems strange that many, of whose spirituality of mind we cannot entertain a doubt, should have embraced a scheme, which if universally adopted would go far to substitute the seen for the unseen, and an earthly kingdom for that which is righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The doctrine of the Millenarians appears to us directly to contradict the great principle laid down in the assertion of the Saviour," My kingdom is not of this world." If he is to reign personally on the earth, however glorious and pure that reign may be, it must, to a considerable extent, partake of a worldly sovereignty. But another objection to the doctrine is, that it lowers the dignity of the Saviour, who is represented in the Scriptures as a great spiritual King, exercising dominion over the hearts of men, in every region of the globe where his truth is embraced; but in the Millenarian scheme, he is exhibited as descending from this lofty elevation, to occupy the infinitely inferior station of an earthly throne. Such a representation degrades, instead of exalting the Saviour. But even if it were admitted to be correct,

with our present bodily organs, the presence of Christ in any part of the globe, in which believers did not reside, could only be to them a matter of faith, not of vision; which would produce less of spiritual influence, than the exercise of the same grace does now, while they believe him to reside in heaven. The esteemed author of the work before us (who is known to many friends as the writer of an excellent volume of sermons) has very ably exposed the unscriptural character of the Millenarian hypothesis. The chapter in which he examines those passages of Scripture, which are brought forward by Millenarians to support their views, is a very important and interesting part of the volume; and he has shown great judgment in the exposition

and skill in the application of those portions of Scripture to which he has referred. While the author maintains with firmness his own views, he has done justice to the opinions of those to whose sentiments he is opposed, and writes in a spirit of charity, which it is much to be desired, some of those whose tenets he controverts had displayed. The author's style is characterized by simplicity as to diction, and clearness and force as to arrangement and argument: and if any of our readers either in England or Ireland are perplexed about the subject of Millenarianism, we think they cannot do better than to read with care this work, in which we think there is sufficient to satisfy any candid inquirer after truth, of its unscriptural character.

Miscellaneous.

CONVERSION AND HAPPY DEATH OF A POOR ROMAN CATHOLIC.

After leaving the coast and islands of the South, I had a short sojourn in Cork, of about three weeks, before finally starting for Dublin. While there, I was asked by the Rev. F. M. H. George, to visit a poor man, who had unaccountably found his way into the alms'-house of St. Paul's parish. I did so, and never had I intercourse with a more noble Christian spirit on the verge of the grave, so calm, so resigned, so happy, and so wholly absorbed in the love of his Divine Redeemer. He spoke with great warmth of the great love that Christ had for his soul, and of the unending state of happiness he was about to enter upon through that unspeakable love. His history was rather extraordinary. He was brother to a parish priest, and nephew or cousin (I forget which) to the Titular Bishop of Waterford For twenty years of his life, his faith in the doctrines of the Romish creed had been wavering, and he had occasionally visited Protestant houses of worship, when at a distance from his family and friends; and what he saw, and at such times, of primitive Christian religion, gradually won upon his heart, and made him regard the mummeries of Romanism with loathing and disgust. Latterly, through the mercy of God, the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ entered his soul, dispelled the darkness, and brought him to the foot of the cross, to know the love of Christ, which passeth all knowledge, and gave him sufficient moral courage to make an open profession of his having found "the pearl of great price.' About a year and a half ago he caught a severe cold, attended with inflammation of the lungs, which being neg

He

lected, eventually brought on consumption. When he found his end approaching, and that he was all but on the brink of eternity, he felt the hold of human influences upon him slight as the gossamer web. immediately left his friends and family, came on the coach to Cork, with the inten tion of getting into an hospital, and there dying in peace; but through the providence of God, he found his way to the abovementioned alms'-house, and as he himself used to say, "escaped from the lion," meaning Popery. After lingering there for seven or eight weeks, he died "the death of the righteous," in the sure hope of a happy and glorious resurrection. To the last hour of his life, and when his poor attenuated frame was nearly in ruins, he was singularly peaceful in soul-“happy,” as he used to say," happy to be with Christ.” So quietly did the poor-spent earthly tenement give up the immortal spirit which panted to escape, that before those around him were fully aware of it, he had fallen asleep in Christ. He died on Sunday Evening, Oct. 20th.

Some weeks before his death, he had a nice Christian letter written, containing a profession of his faith in the great leading doctines of the Bible, and his renunciation of the apostate Church of Rome, with directions to have it sent to the Protestant clergymen of the parish to which he be longed, and to have it made as public as possible. It is my intention to have this letter printed for the benefit of those merely nominal Protestants I very frequently meet with on the sea coasts, who, from their deplorable ignorance of spiritual matters, are both hard to be awakened themselves and a stumbling-block to their Romanist neighbours.

THE

IRISH MISSIONARY MAGAZINE,

AND

PROTESTANT ADVOCATE.

JANUARY, 1845.

Spiritual State and Claims of Ereland.

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO IRELAND.

We have not been long enough in the field of editorial labor to allow of our occupying the minds of our readers, or the pages of our Magazine, with that retrospect of our progress, which, under other circumstances, the season of the year might have suggested as appropriate for the commencement of our January number. Nor are we disposed to indulge our vanity by any vaunting promises, or fond expectations, as to our prospects of success through the year which is now mercifully opening before us. We have humbly endeavoured to do what we could in order to sustain the pledge given to the public at the outset of our undertaking; and hope to be enabled to maintain a steady course in its future prosecution, faithfully exhibiting the "spiritual wants of Ireland," strongly urging its peculiar claims,-compromising no principle of Scripture, faith, or polity, and yet cultivating the most friendly feelings to all who seek Ireland's real welfare, though we may not belong to their tribe, or be able to pronounce their shibboleth.

We have reason to bless God for smiling so far upon the attempt we have made; and would implore a continuance of his favor, as that which alone can secure our further success. In his name we lifted up the banner, in his name we have gone forward hitherto; and going forward in that name, we can entertain no doubt as to the triumph of the cause in which we are engaged. We advert to our humble periodical simply as an instrument connected with that great and glorious cause, and honestly intended to subserve and promote it. We feel grateful to many friends for the kind approval and efficient aid by which they have cheered us in our efforts, although the aid afforded, as to circulation, has not hitherto been adequate to the expenses necessarily incurred. May they, and we, realize a rich reward in the various mercies

VOL. I.

which the new year, as it flies rapidly onward, shall scatter from its wings over our Sister Island.

The following friendly communication, which has, in fact, suggested the foregoing reflections, may serve appropriately to express our wishes and prayers with reference to Ireland, and will no doubt be responded to by many of our readers.

TO THE EDITOR.

"Dear Sir,-In tracing back the past history of the land to which you are so much devoted, I find, that for a long period, both with respect to her Parliamentary affairs, and her spiritual condition, she has been convulsed and unhappy. But the friends of Ireland have been cheered and animated by the encouraging accounts given in your valuable pages, with reference to the success of the "Irish labourers" for her spiritual improvement; particularly by hearing of "a great company of her priests becoming obedient to the faith." May we not hope that these are but preludes of better things to come; that the coming year may indeed be "a happy New Year to Ireland," not merely with respect to her commercial prosperity, or Parliamentary affairs, though these may be included, but a happy New Year of spiritual blessings; that this year may be the year of her spiritual emancipation, when her teeming millions shall be led to renounce Popish error and Popish superstition, and truly and devoutly embrace Christ; that this year may be the year of her redemption; that she may not only forsake Popery, but be truly converted to the faith of the Gospel; that the ambassadors of mercy may be able to cry through the length and breadth of the land

"The year of Jubilee has come,

Return ye ransomed sinners home.'

And may I not close with the wish of the apostle, and apply it to Ireland? What words can be more appropriate to her wants? what prayer more comprehensive of the very blessings she most requires? "That the God of our

Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of their understanding being enlightened, that they may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward, who believe, according to the working of his mighty power."

Hoxton.

JAMES.

We feel warmed and refreshed in our labours by the kind sympathy which

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