(though it may savour of vanity thus to express myself,) that the measure I contemplated was one of very great importance both in a political and religious point of view.

Under these perplexing circumstances, I came to the resolution to retain my half-pay three years longer, should my life be so long spared, and to dedicate that time to serious inquiry on a subject constantly pressing upon my mind. This delay I considered as likely to cure me of any false notions that either ignorance, fanaticism, or vanity might generate. It has pleased the divine Disposer of events to grant me these years; and I hope they have not been passed unprofitably. After every inquiry and consideration on one of the most important subjects that can occupy the human mind, as far as my abilities and opportunities have enabled me, and after frequent and earnest prayer to that Being who alone has power over the minds of men, that I might do nothing dishonourable to Christianity nor injurious to society, I have seen no reason to regret the resolution I then formed. Some may blame me, and with seeming justice, for taking so long a time for consideration, on what I now speak of as so very clear a point. I do not however regret this delay, as it has effectually convinced me that I have acted not only from pure motives, but also on correct principles; and I feel the fullest confidence that I shall never repent of the step that conscience has dictated.' pp. 18, 20.

These motives and feelings are highly honorable. We applaud that lofty spirit and firmness, which is capable of making important sacrifices of interest, ease, and temporary popularity, to a sense of duty. Such examples ought to be recorded for the benefit of humanity. They are full of valuable instruction. The following extract relates to the same subject as the foregoing.

To one friend only has my intention been known from the first; and I have the happiness to know that this friend (who will be a fellow-sufferer from the act) most cordially approves what I have done. Nor have I, till very near the time of sending these pages to the press, read any of the valuable publications of Peace Societies in this and other countries. The recent perusal of some of their works has afforded me the most heartfelt satisfaction, together with the pleasure of knowing, that though these pages may excite feelings of pity and contempt in many, yet that they are in accordance with the opinions of numbers of pious Christians of distinguished rank and literary attainments in different parts of the world. Believing that the publications of the Peace Societies have not only a tendency to annihilate war, but

also to promote religion, and with it obedience to sovereigns, I sincerely wish they may be more extensively read than they have hitherto been. p. 23.

Capt. Thrush had, it appears, sometime previously to the surrender of his commission, retired from actual service on half pay.

'This pay, I have been led to believe, is not only considered as a reward for past services, but also as a retaining fee for future exertions. Being unwilling to comply with the terms, I feel that I am not entitled to the fee; and that I ought not to receive it. Did I, on the other hand, regard my half pay as exclusively a reward for past services; having earned it by what I now consider as a transgression of Christian duty, or as a desertion of my allegiance to God, it appears to me, in receiving it, that I virtually renew, or continue, my disobedience.' p. 10.

In thus relinquishing, on the approach of age, the emoluments to which his past services entitled him, emoluments which his limited fortune rendered by no means a matter of indifference, Capt. Thrush has given proof of sincerity and a strong regard to duty, which must command the respect of those who do not assent to the views he has been led to adopt.

Capt. Thrush has appropriated several pages of his letter to observations on the incompatibility of war, with the general strain of the language of the Bible.

The prophecies of the Old Testament, when taken in connexion with the precepts of the Gospel, appear decisive against the practice of war, under the Christian dispensation. To this evidence I appeal with the more satisfaction, as it affords, at the same time, the pleasing and sure testimony, that the degrading and sanguinary scenes of past and present times are not to endure, but, on the contrary, that they will be succeeded by ages of permanent peace and happiness.' p. 11.

He quotes some prophecies at length, (Isaiah ii, 2—4, and xi, 1. 5-9,) to the fulfilment of which he looks forward as to a time of universal peace, when men shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. He afterwards enumerates several precepts of Christianity inculcating forbearance, meekness, compassion, forgiveness and the kindred virtues, and adds;

'What a strange anomaly would be exhibited, were these truly noble and characteristic precepts of the Christian religion placed at the head of every naval or military officer's commission,

and at the head of every warlike order issued from the Admiralty or War Office, or at the head of every regimental orderly-book! No incongruity could appear greater than such a mixture of war and Gospel; no impossibility more evident than the impossibility of obedience in both cases; no truth more clear than that war and Christianity are utterly irreconcilable. When the Christian and military duties are thus contrasted, the discrepance is so glaring, that it has rather the appearance of burlesque than of sober truth. But surely this striking contrariety affords no mean argument, that the duties of a Christian and a warrior can never be faithfully discharged by the same individual.' p. 16.

The general strain of sentiment breathed from this letter, is of a manly and Christian character, equally honourable to the understanding and heart of the author."

ART. XVII.-Sermons, selected from the Papers of the late Rev. HENRY TURNER, and published at the Request of the younger Members of the Church of Unitarian Christians in the High Pavement, Nottingham. To which are added, a few occasional Addresses. Newcastle. 1822. 8vo. pp. 368. [Second Edition, 1825.]

WE have learned that a second edition of this volume has been published within the last year; a circumstance which marks the esteem in which it is regarded by our brethren abroad, and which the work itself well deserves. These are the sermons of a young man of worth and promise, who died at the age of thirty, after having been four years settled at Bradford, and five years at Nottingham. A short account is given in the preface of his labours in these places, which prove him to have been an industrious and useful minister--making himself a pastor as well as a preacher, and so gaining the attachment and confidence of his flock. His attention appears to have been given in an exemplary degree to the young. At Nottingham he was indefatigable in his supervision of the parish school, and he so thoroughly reformed, that he is said to have 'recreated,' the Sunday Schools in that place. He instituted a weekly meeting among the young men of the place for the discussion of moral and religious subjects, which was carried on with great satisfaction.' He encouraged also, in connexion with his

colleague, a devotional meeting on Sunday evening, 'in the girls' school room, and often himself addressed it. These meetings, it is remarked, being chiefly attended by young persons, not yet settled in families, were found productive of much benefit. It may be doubted, however,' adds the writer, 'whether those who are become heads of families, can be better employed on the evenings of the Lord's day, than in making their own homes agreeable and profitable, while they train up their children, and also, as far as circumstances permit, their other dependants, in the principles of virtue and true religion.'

The interest which their young minister evinced in their welfare by these and other means, produced corresponding effects. The attendants of both the weekly meetings have published affectionate testimonies to his zeal and piety, his talents and kindness, and valuable labours, and the younger members of the society solicited the publication of this volume of his Sermons, by a letter addressed to his widow in the following terms.

To Mrs Henry Turner.

DEAR MADAM,-The younger members of the High Pavement congregation, strongly desirous of shewing some mark of respect and affection, which they have always entertained for their departed friend, had raised a subscription among themselves for the purpose of erecting in the Chapel, a Tablet to his memory; but, upon reflection, they thought that no tablet would perpetuate his memory so delightfully, and so usefully, as his own Sermons. Will you consent to their earnest wish, that the sum they have collected may be applied towards defraying the publication of a selection of them; that thus his excellent and pious exhortations may still continue to be their guide, as his pure and holy life will always be held up before them as their example?

Signed on behalf of Mr Henry Turner's
numerous young friends,

W. NEEDHAM.'

No writings can make their appearance in print under greater disadvantages than posthumous sermons. They are necessarily hasty and unfinished compositions-hurried upon paper, one every week and perhaps more. The preacher leaves to be inferred from his emphasis and tone, those shades of meaning and nicities of expression, which the deliberate author would convey by carefully selected language. Great allowances are,

therefore, always necessary to be made by the critical reader. To him who remembers the preacher and associates with his image, and voice, and character, the pages which he reads, they may have as great a charm as any more perfect memorial. To him who reads solely for his own personal improvement in virtue and religion, they may be as edifying as more finished compositions. But the stranger and the critic, who look upon them with cooler eye, will be dissatisfied with blemishes to which more partial or more devout readers are insensible. It is therefore, no small praise to the sermons before us, that they evince a justness of thought and expression, which renders unnecessary any apology from the reasons we have mentioned. The merest critic will find nothing to offend, while the serious Christian will approve, be pleased, and be instructed.

The sermons are twenty two in number, upon topics for the most part altogether practical, and deeply imbued with the serious, devout, affectionate spirit, which ought to characterise the exhortations of the pulpit. There is nothing like efforts at fine writing, or high eloquence; no bursts of passion, no awakening vehemence, no tawdry sentimentality, no rant, cant, bombast, or affectation; but all is quiet common sense, 'the words of soberness and truth.' Mr Turner seems to have thought it the business of a sermon to do good, and not to display its author; and therefore he uses great plainness as well as propriety of speech, and having said what he had to say, has left it to make its impression, without seeking to gain applause to himself by the skill and elegance with which he has arrayed it. The general tone is that of a pious, affectionate, serious, friend, bent upon doing good; and as such it pleases us. It shows that the writer is in earnest ; and we would much prefer quiet earnestness at Nottingham, to vociferous declamation at Hatton Garden.

The first discourse, which is on Religious Conversation, offers some extracts which present very fair specimens of the general tone of the volume."

For how seldom, if we consider what passes in society, does religion find a place amongst the topics of conversation! How cautiously, if we reflect on the variety of occasions when it might naturally present itself, does it seem to be avoided! and when it chances to obtrude itself, how quickly is it dismissed in favour of any ordinary subject! Now, if we judged of the gene