Philip Henry says of him that he was as much vilified by some, and as much magnified by others, as most men that ever were; but in the judgment of succeeding times much of the odium has passed away, and the estimation has continued. His principles do not accord with those of any party; and yet there are many in most parties who regard him with favour, and peruse some of his books with interest. He united the virtues of contemplative and active life. Over his thoughts he had great command; and his felicity and copiousness in speaking attracted general notice. In the Savoy conference he indicated the heroism of his character by the prominent part that he acted. He knew that the service was invidious, and likely to make a man obnoxious; and he chose to expose himself, rather than his brethren, to the hatred of the bishops. In comparison with other men, he took very little indulgence to himself, and showed little concern about his temporal interest. To him preferment had no charms, nor a prison any terrors, when preferment could not be obtained with a good conscience, and when he was thrown into prison for doing his duty. No man less regarded the dictates of prudence; no man entered more heartily into the cause which he espoused, defended it with more intrepidity, or adorned it with more excellence. His theological and controversial writings, however they might be regarded by those to whom they were first presented, are now generally consigned to oblivion. But his practical

works, and especially his treatises on conversion, Saint's rest, crucifixion to the world by the cross of Christ, sin and danger of slighting Christ, life of faith, personal and family religion, converse with God in solitude, and dying thoughts, are generally read and greatly commended. They rank among our best religious books, and exalt Baxter to preeminence among those authors who have turned many to righteousness.

Mr. Orme's work is a copious and interesting account of Baxter's varied and eventful course, and a just delineation of his eminent and peculiar character. The information is derived principally from his own account, and is often given in his own words, accompanied with appropriate and instructive reflections. The second volume is a review of Baxter's writings, which are reduced to their respective classes, and are estimated with fairness, discrimination, and judgment. The book is evidently superior to Mr. Orme's former work on Owen; and the merit of it is as honourable to his reputation as the composition of it was injurious to his health. It deserves, and will reward, the attention of a reader, and, of all readers, it is most important to students and young ministers.

DR. BOGUE

AND THE

LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

WRITTEN AFTER READING DR. BENNETT'S MEMOIRS.

"Acquaintance with the things of God, and serviceableness to the kingdom of God, put true honour upon men, and make them great." Matthew Henry.

"God has committed Christianity into the hands of Christians, for universal diffusion."

Mrs. More.

When a man who has risen to eminence, and attained extensive usefulness, falls asleep, those who knew him will speak of his greatness, and tell of his virtues and services; and it may be expected that one or other of them will write a memorial of him, to gratify the laudable curiosity of the public, to give honour to him who deserved it, and to present an example worthy of imitation to succeeding times. He who has been a great blessing to his own generation, ought to be held in estimation by those who rise up after him; and, in order to that, he should be made known to them. The qualities of Dr. Bogue's character, and the events of his life, entitle him to biographical distinction; but his invincible modesty made it difficult to obtain the necessary

materials. He adopted, from principle, the resolution never to talk about himself; and might have dropped from the clouds for all that his most intimate friends knew, or could learn from him, about his origin or his early years. Of his ancestors and his descent, however, he had no reason to be ashamed; his family held a respectable station in society; and his father, like several of his progenitors, was a man whose attachment to religion, and zeal in the cause of liberty, made him conspicuous in the land of his residence. By some means, and probably from various sources, Dr. Bennett has collected full and accurate information, which he has arranged and embodied in a narrative that is worthy of himself and his subject, and is likely to gratify a judicious reader.

David Bogue was born at Hallydown, a place near the southern borders of Scotland, Feb. 18th, 1750, and was the sixth of twelve children. According to the excellent practice of the good old Presbyterians, he was taught the assembly's catechism, with the proofs from scripture, under the paternal roof; and he learned the rudiments of classical literature at the grammar school of Eyemouth, which was taught by Mr. Cruickshanks, a man who was noted for ability, severity, and success in tuition. A small company of persons in humble life were wont to meet for social prayer, to whom he joined himself, and received lasting and saving impressions from their devout exercises. In after years, he cherished the remembrance of these hallowed

seasons; and showed much kindness to the good old men who taught him the fear of the Lord, and initiated him in the ways of godliness.

From the Grammar School he went to the University of Edinburgh, at the close of the year 1762, and when he was not much more than twelve years of age, to pursue his studies as a preparation for the Christian ministry. The propriety of such a measure may be questioned, though the practice has been common. True, indeed, this early destination to the work, and this uniform and exclusive attention to the education for it, were likely to form learned and able divines; and when their hearts were right in the sight of God, and their motives were good, this combination of human and divine teaching, of literary stores and devout affections, produced men who were an honour to the cause of religion, and a blessing to the church of God. Grossly as the Christian ministry has been disparaged by a profane and ungodly world, it has exhibited no small number of men who stand in the first rank of human beings, and who may be compared with any other class in intellectual greatness and moral excellence; in the lustre of their virtues, and the value of their services. But it cannot be denied that often times those have been appointed teachers of religion to others, who have had none themselves; and that they have been inducted into the services of the sanctuary, by ecclesiastical authorities, when their hearts were alienated from God. Hence the talents

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