have taken the place of that close and heart-searching particularity which, in better days, used to pertain to the preaching of the Gospel. We know how many prejudices a young minister has to contend with; we know, that in every congregation there are to be found a number of pious people who think their young pastor very deficient in his theology, if he does not embody, in almost every sermon, the leading doctrines of the Gospel, and who cannot at all understand, how it should be right to distress a sinner by pointing out the uncertainty of his ever being a Christian, without at the same time enlarging on the mercy of God, and the impossibility of his doing any thing to promote his own salvation, without the influences of the Spirit. We do not, however, despair of this difficulty being overcome. There are others, again, who have seen how husky and worthless the mode of address is to which we have adverted, and these, having recognized the principle that experimental truth is alone valuable to the mass of mankind, have confined themselves almost exclusively to supplying the spiritual wants, and soothing the feelings of the believer; as if God had intended, that his people should be dependant for their spiritual vigour on the exhortations of their minister; as if he had not planted his church in the world for other and far more important purposes; as if he did not intend, by the agency of his people, to gather in his elect from the four corners of the earth; as if he had not himself distinctly pointed out, that his children were to seek their comfort, not from their fellow man, but in the path of deep retirement, earnest prayer, and self-denying duty. We do not say, that the chequered experience of the believer is not a fit subject for the pulpit, but we do earnestly protest against experimental preaching being confined to the believer. Let the sinner's experience be also preached. Lay open his heart before him-hold up his dissatisfaction with the world-expose his vain strugglings with conscience— his resistings of the Spirit-his continual disappointment in the search after happiness. Distinguish his unregenerate convictions from true conversion-drive him from his innumerable hiding-places. Put before him, in all its length and breadth, the difficulty of escaping from the damnation of hell, and make him feel that it is an awfully uncertain thing, whether he will ever be a Christian. This we should call experimental preaching. We have already said enough on the importance of adopting a colloquial style. Long and smoothly-rounded periods are an abomination in the pulpit-a device of the devil to keep the good Word of God out of the hearts of the multitude. It should never be forgotten that the great mass of hearers are, after all, only a welldressed mob of uneducated persons. Few ministers are privileged to have a reflecting auditory. Let the recollection, then, of this simple truth regulate the preacher in his choice both of style and language. We would have inscribed on the wall of every study, "To the poor the Gospel is preached." A minister who remembers this, will feel that he must depict, not discuss; that one illustration is worth a thousand abstract explanations; and that although it should lessen his fame, it will increase his usefulness, always to be familiar, and not unfrequently to repeat the same truth again and again. The grand mistake which many make, is to suppose that a familiar style and plainness of speech dispenses in great measure with the necessity of study. On the contrary, it demands a double portion of labour. A vicious and inflated style is that into which men are most commonly apt to fall. To be natural and simple is the highest attainment of art. We by no means undervalue a glowing eloquence; but we cannot forget that although eloquence may sometimes adorn, it not unfrequently obscures truth, just as a painted window intercepts the prospect. If we were asked upon what book we should recommend a young preacher to form his style, we should reply, Upon the Pilgrim's Progress. We cannot refrain from quoting here, as fully expressing our sentiments, the praise which that admirable book has just extorted from reviewers who have little sympathy with its theology. "The style of Bunyan is delightful to every reader, and invaluable as a study to every person who wishes to obtain a wide command over the English language. The vocabulary is the vocabulary of the common people. There is not an expression, if we except a few technical terms of theology, which would puzzle the rudest peasant. We have observed several pages which do not contain a single word of more than two syllables. Yet no writer has said more exactly what he meant to say. For magnificence, for pathos, for vehement exhortation, for subtle disquisition, for every purpose of the poet, the orator, and the divine, this homely dialect-the dialect of plain working men-is perfectly sufficient. There is no book in our literature on which we would so readily stake the fame of the old unpolluted English language no book which shows so well how rich that language is in its own proper wealth, and how little it has been improved by all that it has borrowed." * When we have heard a minister telling his hearers to take a retrospect * Edinburgh Review. of their past lives, we have often wondered why it should never occur to him that it would be incalculably better to bid them look back. It is the continual use of words which are absolutely unintelligible to the poor, that makes preaching so uninteresting to them. If it goes on, we shall soon have no poor hearers to preach to. For the most part our old Saxon words are decidedly the best. They are simpler and more determinate in their signification. The unusual length to which this article has extended, alone compels us to lay down the pen. In bidding farewell to our American brethren, we desire most unfeignedly to rejoice in the success which has attended their labours. For ourselves, while we are thankful for much, we covet more. We would gladly learn from any body. One word at parting to our own brethren. Before we resolve our comparative want of success in the ministry altogether into divine sovereignty, let us be quite sure that we are doing all we can, for the conversion of the great mass of the unregenerate. It is not enough to preach to them occasionally or even frequently. It is not enough to beseech them, one by one, in private, even with tears, to be reconciled to God. It is not enough to gather them in classes according to their respective circumstances, and specially to address them together in the language of entreaty and expostulation. It is not enough to pray for them and with them. All these, and a thousand other things which will suggest themselves to a mind bent upon the salvation of souls, must be done, and yet much will be left undone. After all, Satan will surpass us at best but unprofitable servants. in activity, and we shall be found Researches in Greece and the Levant. By the Rev. John Hartley, M. A. late Missionary in the Mediterranean. London. Hatchard and Son. THE political fortunes of Greece have excited an interest of no ordinary kind in the west of Europe; and our own countrymen have, by their labours, eminently distinguished themselves, both in the senate and the field, in promoting the emancipation of that unfortunate and long-oppressed territory. The first mutterings of the voice of freedom were eagerly listened to, and the arduous struggle between the Morea and the Porte, now successfully terminated, has been watched with intense anxiety. Though the present race are but wild and distant offshoots from the ancient stock, yet they are assoIciated with the Greeks of Marathon and Thermopyla, as they speak the same language, bear the same name, and inhabit their timehonoured land. In the achievement of Greek independence we are called upon, for various reasons, to rejoice; a country favoured with the labours of the apostles, and filled with the early churches of Christendom, has been wrested from the grasp of Mahomet; a door has been opened for the free promulgation of the truth in the scene of its primitive triumphs; and we trust that the event may be regarded as a signal, that, ere long, the tide of Moslem dominion will roll back to its native Asia, and the superstition which it has so long upheld will sink into desuetude and oblivion. Nearly four centuries have elapsed since the name of Greece was blotted from the map of Europe, and about nineteen have revolved since it ceased to be an independent power, and was annexed to the empire of Rome. "The children are spared," said Sylla, as he entered Athens, "because of their fathers;" and in modern times, the memory of the sages, warriors, and poets of antiquity, has procured for their degenerate sons that sympathy which, divested of such historic associations, would have been hardly extended to them. Of the ancient golden times of Greece, there are, however, no remains, besides its language, monuments, and "vales of evergreen and hills of snow." It is painful to read the description which Mr. Hartley gives of a country, once the cradle of learning, the ark of liberty, the land of Solon and Plato, page, Beckon, with awful port, to glory's earlier age." "I have often," says he, "been struck to observe, how very accurately the descriptions of the state of Judea by the ancient prophets are applicable to it. To the Greeks may be addressed the language, Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire, your land strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate as overthrown by stran gers.' I passed through the principal parts of the Morea, soon after the incursions of the Arab army. In the chief towns, and in a multitude of the country villages, not a dwelling remained entire. In Tripolitza, the capital, the work of demolition had been complete. Not only was the green grass growing amidst the ruins of the palace of the Pashas of the Morea, but every mosque, every church, and even every wall, had been thrown down. The destruction of Tripolitza seemed only second to that of Jerusalem." The religious and moral condition of Greece is still more painfully affecting than the calamities here mentioned. The apostacy anticipated in the apostolic writings has indeed overtaken this section of the Church; and scarcely any trace of the pure faith of Christ is to be discovered amid the impious mummeries that now exist. Mr. Hartley's volume contains some interesting notices respecting the doctrines of the Eastern Church-the adoration of the virgin-the worship of saints-and the ridiculous ceremonies that are practised. The ecclesiastics, however, as a body, do not object to the circulation of the Scriptures; they also admit, occasionally, the English to preach in their churches; and from these favourable circumstances, we may entertain the hope that evangelical truth will spread in the scene of its early victories. The following pleasing particulars of Mr. Hartley's labours will be read with interest, and exhibit an example of liberality which might be well imitated nearer home. "The communication of religious truth, by every means which can be employed, is important; but that mode of proclaiming it, which is usually designated preaching, is perhaps of more importance than any other. When I left my native country, I had scarcely ventured to anticipate that opportunities of this description would be afforded me in Greece: but I met with occasions of the kind, which I cherish amongst my fondest recollections, and which will, I trust, not be deemed wholly unworthy of notice.During my interesting sojourn in Egina, in the winter of 1827-28, I had frequent conversations on Religion with influential persons. In consequence of these discussions, I once observed to some of them, that it would yield me peculiar pleasure if I had an opportunity of addressing them in a connected discourse. I pointed out some of the advantages of such a method; and, more especially, expressed my wish to discourse upon the Evidences of Christianity. To this suggestion so much deference was paid, that it instantly became matter of inquiry, what place would be most suitable for the purpose. When I first started the proposal, I had not the most distant conception that it would lead to the public proclamation of the Truth in Greek churches. I had simply expected to see some of my friends assembled in a house sufficiently commodions for the purpose, and then to unfold my opinions: but, to my astonishment and delight, it was proposed that I should address them in the principal church; and, without the least difficulty, permission to that effect was obtained from the President of the Legislative Body. Thus was I left at public liberty to preach in the Church of the Panagia, N. S. NO. 90. as often as I thought proper; and, subsequently, in various other churches. Indeed, under the peculiar circumstances of the times, I question if any church in Liberated Greece would have been denied me. "It was in the same building that the Legislative Body held its Sessions; and, when I preached in the afternoon, I generally had a large number of the Senators to hear me. I have observed among my auditors, Mavrocordato, Tricupi and his Haivali, Pharmakides, and many other Lady, Theophilus, formerly Professor at persons of distinction. After one of my discourses, a cousin of Kolokotroni observed, To-day, we have had all the Пpouxovτes (the principal persons) of the Peloponnesus at Church.' "I did not think it wise to employ the permission given me too often: I therefore limited myself to four addresses in Ægina. The three first were almost entirely directed to the object of establishing the truth of Christianity; and in the last, I took up some of the leading doctrines of Religion, and made a pointed application of them. The former subject was become extremely needful, in consequence of the rapid growth of infidelity amongst the higher classes, and the entire want of any means to counteract it. The latter subject is, at all times, and in all places, the principal medium of Ministerial and Missionary labour; and I was delighted to have an opportunity of employing it, under such interesting circumstances. The apparent effect was considerable. Close attention was given during the discourses; and, after their termination, warm approbation expressed. During one of my addresses, I was led to express a sentiment to this effect:-' May the Oriental Church, my Greek friends, soon recover its ancient splendor! May it soon have men not inferior to Chrysostom, to Basil, and to Gregory!' This triad of names has an effect almost electric on Greek hearts. No sooner had the words been uttered, than I found my ears saluted by an universal and reiterated exclamation of 'Amen!' which came rushing upon me from all parts of the assembly. I am not aware that this custom is habitual to the Greeks: I have not witnessed it on other occasions. I conclude that it was the genuine feelings of their hearts which gave this unwonted utterance to their lips. "I allude not, at present, to any effects produced upon individuals; but amongst the general results which appeared most encouraging, I number what happened after my last sermon. One of the Depu3 B Memoirs of Miss E. Spreckley. By R. Woolerton. Pp. 162. Simpkin and Marshall. London. 1831. A Father's Tribute to the Memory of a A Sermon occasioned by the death of W. THE rising generation of the world are placed in very eligible circumstances by the multiplication of works, adapted to fit them for the secular duties, which in future life they may be called to discharge. May their moral improvement keep pace with their intellectual progress! The rising generation of the church possess an additional advantage in the multiplication of books whose object and tendency are at once to raise the standard of mental acquirement, and to sanctify such acquisitions to the noblest results. Indeed the most favourable sign of the times, otherwise marked by fearful portents, is the attention paid to the moral and mental culture of the young. Yet amidst these causes of thankfulness and gratulation, there are some reasons for regret, some grounds for apprehension, lest zeal in the service of youth, should 2 not be tempered with prudence, and in endeavours to cherish juvenile piety, there should be, unintentionally, we are persuaded, a fostering of pride. The authors whose articles are placed at the head of this notice, have done well in giving to the public their works, which, though all valuable, are of very dissimilar merit, and although there be a sameness in design, there is also considerable diversity of execution. Nor do we intend " aught unkind" to the respective authors, some of whom we rank among our personal acquaintances, and friends, in speaking freely of their productions. Mr. Stewart's Memoir of Master Dimsdale is very interesting, drawn up with simplicity, and narrated with considerable unction. The specimens of the amiable youth's essays are very creditable to himself and his tutor, who is at the head of a well-conducted seminary at Barnet. But the genuine worth of this useful publication consists in the exhibition of true and vital religion which distinguished this, his pious pupil. Nor will our schools of learning be blessings to the land till they become schools of religion also. So impressed with this conviction, we have heard, was the principal of a large neighbouring school, that he introduced a considerable number of copies of this little work, on its publication, for the use of the numerous pupils under his inspection. Indeed, beyond the important duties of instruction, vigilant su |