assiduous study of the sacred volume for one year, will, if any thing can, call his thoughts from the vain pursuits of the world, and fix them on the solemn duties of the profession on which he is about to enter. Before he has gone through the Old Testament, he will find it to be truly what the Рoet calls пнгH PEOYEA HEI OTE, "a fountain pouring forth persuasives" to seek ΠΕΙΘΟΥΣ, heavenly knowledge and purity to life.

It may be added that, to read the Old Testament in the original language, is the way to understand the New. The Student who has made himself acquainted with the treasures of revealed truth under the first dispensation, will not stop there; but will proceed with impatience to a still nobler theme in the inspired strains of the New Testament, which are written, for the most part, in the idiom of the old. And here, he will have the advantage of that rich and precious mine for the theologian, the Syriac New Testament; for he who can read the Old Testament in Hebrew will soon be' able to read the New in Syriac. I call it a "rich and precious mine;" for Syriac is the language which our blessed Lord himself spoke in the land of Judea: and it is probable that EVERY PARABLE AND EVERY SPEECH IN THE FOUR GOSPELS IS RECORDED NEARLY IN THE VERY WORDS WHICH PROCEEDED from his lips. Every scholar then who thirsts for "the words of life," and would become "an able minister of the New Testament," ought to draw from this pure fountain.---What a proof of the decline of sacred literature among us, that this volume (the Syriac Version,) is scarcely known!

But it will perhaps be said, "Is not the prescribed study of the whole of the Scriptures a work of too much Jabour for the student?" I think not, particularly when no other labour is prescribed. If there were indeed any

other indispensable syllabus of theology proposed by the church or university, which would of itself occupy much time, it might be less necessary to insist upon this specific study. But if in the present circumstances we cannot readily establish a more efficient course, it seems expedient to begin with this simple and intelligible plan. For even supposing that the imposition of such a study would prove to some individuals a severe or ungrateful task, what is this to be accounted of, in the contemplation of the advantage to the Church! The wound of our Church must be healed; and we are persuaded that if a convocation were held at this day it would readily adopt, in the prospect of such a benefit, even a painful remedy. And yet the remedy proposed would be only painful for a moment; for it is most certain that the student himself would afterwards reflect o the benefit derived to him from such a course of study, with fervent gratitude, to the end of his life.*

Young divines ought not to complain of the labour of learning Hebrew, when even their own country-women can attain it with facility. There are now several ladies ho can read the Old Testament in the original tongue; but they are ashamed to confess it, when they see that some of the Clergy are ignorant of the language. It

* The Church of England will, I doubt not, gratefully acknowledge hereafter the advantages for the study of the Hebrew language, which have been afforded by the zealous exertions of Dr. BURGESS, Bishop of St. David's. It is pleasing to behold a man of his learning and station condescending to smooth the path to beginners, and to offer facilities for the acquirement of the sacred language. These are the labours which in their nature and issue are truly immortal:-" To instruct the "ignorant, to invite to useful knowledge, to point to heaven, and to lead "the way; these are the labours which will enable a man to say at the close of life, By the Grace of God I have not lived in vain."

was death alone which brought to light the Hebrew learning of Miss Elizabeth Smith.

:

I think it not foreign to the general subject of these pages to observe here, that an increased cultivation of the female mind is a characteristic of the present era of Christian knowledge and is a sure prognostic of a yet brighter period. Custom and use will sway the majority, and even prejudice men of learning and intelligence on this subject; but there seems to me to be little doubt of the truth of the following position ;-Young women ought to possess the same advantages of education which are given to young men in general useful learning, until the age of fifteen. I apprehend that the difference which now exists is the effect of barbaristn, and is, in no respect, accordant with reason or Christianity. TO THIS DAY, WOMEN HAVE NOT ENJOYED THE FULL PRIVILEGES OF THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION. It is in the New Testament alone we see the female character exalted to its just place. The age of chivalry rather disgraced the female mind than did it honour. In the present circumstances of the world, a due cultivation of the female mind would do more for the interests of religion and virtue, than is generally imagined. Whenever knowledge shall become universal, we may be sure that women will be principal instruments in communicating it; for there is one benefit to be derived from instructing the female sex, which will be acknowledged by all. It enables mothers to teach their own children. There must certainly be something very defective in the education of that woman, who cannot instruct her own son (according to the rank in society in which she herself has lived) to the twelfth year of his age, To afford a mother such a Qualification, and such an advantage, and such a pleasure, is a plain dictate of Christianity.

SERMON,

PREACHED AT

The Parish Church of St. Anne, Blackfriars, London

ON

TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 1810;

BEFORE

THE SOCIETY

FOR

MISSIONS TO AFRICA AND THE EAST,

INSTITUTED BY

MEMBERS OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH,

BEING THEIR

TENTH ANNIVERSARY.

BY THE

REV. CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN, D. D.

LATE VICE-PROVOST OF THE COLLEGE OF FORT-WILLIAM IN BENGAL, AND MEMBER OF THE ASIATIC SOCIETY.