ON BUILDING CHURCHES.

To the Editor of the British Magazine.

SIR,-The mass of valuable matter which, from time to time, you have brought forward in your Magazine in evidence of the present efficiency of the church establishment is now becoming an aggregate of much importance. Not a little has been said of impediments to the provision of church room within our communion. As regards patronage, recent enactments have removed some of the difficulties; but I am inclined to think that the facility with which, in favourable circumstances, church accommodation may be provided under the old regulations (still allowed to operate) has not been generally known, or it would rot be perpetually asserted that whilst every opportunity of "lengthening their cords" is granted to the dissenters, nothing but obstacles to such extension are presented by the regulations of the church. The particulars that I have to relate of the erection of a church, five or six years ago, in the parish in which I reside, will leave it difficult to point out with what greater facility a building of an equally permanent character could be erected and endowed without the pale of the National Church. Slighter or unendowed edifices we covet not. One of the hamlets in the parish referred to, of which the total population exceeds 2000, contains about 600 inhabitants, and was thought to need a more extended provision of church room than the mother edifice afforded. It was determined in the spring of 1827 that a building capable of containing 500 persons should be erected, five-sixths of the sittings to be free. The estimate was 12607., and the whole was completed without exceeding it by more than 30 or 401. The patronage was a matter that gave no trouble, being suffered to take its appropriate course, and to vest in the noble patron, the chief landed proprietor in the parish. His liberality, in conjunction with minor contributions, together with a grant of 2001. from the Society for Enlarging Churches, and a parish rate of 4d. in the pound, defrayed the whole expense. The church was begun on the 4th of June, and, though very substantially built, was in such progress on the 21st of November in the same year, that, having been endowed by the patron with 57. a year in land, it was then consecrated. By a grant from the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty of 8007. consequent on this endowment, and by their further aid in meeting the patron's benefac

induce self-complacency, or a false ground of hope? To take the lowest ground, I may say, that if the drunkard forsakes his vicious habit, he may perhaps be saved; but if he continues in his sinful course, he is nearly sure to ruin his soul. He certainly is not " nearer heaven" with respect to his justification before God; for we are "justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." But the whole tenor of holy scripture warrants the assertion, that he who ceases to do evil, is in the way to learn to do well. (See Isaiah lv.) I am aware, that in this passage of scripture, the motive urged is of the highest kind-the salvation of the soul; but it appears to me, that the way of the sinner's return, is by first forsaking his wicked ways. It is very true that man cannot do good of himself; but, in the attempt, God imparts the power, as our Lord did to the man with the withered hand." 2 R

VOL. III.—March, 1833.

tions, together with the pew rents, which yield about 301. per annum, the yearly value of the living now reaches almost 1501.

It is freely acknowledged that in the erection of this church, nothing was wanting as regarded either adequacy of means or harmony of view. These cannot be supplied by legislative enactments if any are contemplated; but it is not too much to presume that circumstances equally favourable with those of the parish in question exist in many other places where a church would long since have been erected, had the fact been known that an edifice containing 500 persons could, as in the present instance, be projected, built, endowed, and consecrated within ten months, and a living of 1501. per annum be constructed within half that number of years. I ought further to add, that the church of which I write, at the end of nearly five years, is often filled almost to overflowing; and that the Church Commissioners, though the building was not erected under the provisions of their act, have, in the exercise of the powers vested in them, consulted the future spiritual interests of the inhabitants by assigning for ever to the minister the cure of souls. I am, Sir, Your very obedient servant,

W. H.

ON BUILDING GLEBE HOUSES ON SMALL LIVINGS.

To the Editor of the British Magazine.

SIR, When reading the British Magazine for the month of October, I was particularly interested by the extract from the Bishop of Gloucester's Charge, where he so feelingly deplores the want of parsonage houses in numerous parishes in which the living does not amount to 1507. per annum, and laments this above all "because it is difficult to discover any means by which this unhappy deficiency may be speedily and effectually removed." Now I do not presume to have discovered such means; still a plan has suggested itself to me that may perhaps be worth consideration; should it appear visionary, I am sure you will excuse my drawing your attention to it, in consideration of the only motives by which I can be influenced. Great may seem the difficulty of carrying it into effect; but great indeed is the evil it is intended to lessen, if not entirely remedy; and though it is an evil unhappily not confined to the diocese of Gloucester, yet I know of no prelate more capable, or who would be more likely to set at nought "labour and pains," and give effect to the plan, should it, on meeting his eye, appear feasible, than the Bishop of Gloucester himself. I would premise that there are in his lordship's diocese, and in every other, livings from 1507. to under 2501., to which Gilbert's act would not apply, and to those for the present would I limit the plan, which is this: (through the recommendation of the ecclesiastical commission) to enable the incumbents of such livings to borrow under the Gilbert act the sum of 5007., instead of the sum being limited as it is at present to the amount of two years' income, on the condition of his guaranteeing the forthcoming of

3001. more; and surely this sum might be raised by the aid of subscriptions from the patron, more wealthy neighbouring clergymen and others, and the governors of Queen Anne's bounty; thus a sum would be supplied exceeding by 50l. the money expending in completing or nearly completing Grove Parsonage House, (see Brit. Mag. for Oct. p. 185.) On this 500l., 3 per cent. interest should be charged, which seems but reasonable, since at present on a good mortgage scarcely more than 4 per cent. can be obtained; and 4 per cent. was intended as a bounty when the legal rate of interest was 51.; add to this the repayment of 3 per cent. principal, making on the whole 30%. for the 5007.;. but this payment, differing from the present mode, should be annually continued, the surplus of interest being added to the principal paid off till the whole sum was redeemed, which would be the case in 24 or even 23 years, as may be seen from the calculations below.*

At the end of the 23rd year there remains therefore only 121. 5s. 4d., which may be paid off optionally then or at the end of the next year, with 7s. 6d. interest. The circumstance that the term of 3, or at the most 4 years longer, is required to refund the sum borrowed than under the present system is surely not worth a moment's consideration when put in competition with what is so devoutly to be wished by every one (who is not indifferent to the diffusion of religious truth-the strengthening, by getting rid of what appears a blemish in, our established church-and convincing the gainsayers), viz.-the procuring a permanent residence for the minister of the gospel where his ministry is to be exercised. It may perhaps be thought that 307. per annum is a large sum deducted from such small livings as those to which the proposed plan is applicable; but where can a clergyman procure a fit residence for a less sum; or one in which he may not be subject either to the caprice or extortion of a landlord? Be it remembered also, that the deduction (besides being considerably less for many of the first years than what would now be the case under Gilbert's act), comparatively speaking, can be but temporary. And now, Sir, should the above plan meet the ideas of those who may be enabled to carry it into effect, or should it suggest a hint for one likely to be more efficacious, it would be a source of gratification to

January 26th, 1833.

A SUFFOLK RECTOR..

NOTICES AND REVIEWS.

Discourses, by W. E. Channing. London: Kennett. 1833. 8vo. pp. 274. It is a great comfort to a magazine reviewer when the work of a person of established reputation is put before him, for it is a cruel task to be obliged to give, or rather to attempt to give, in a few lines, a notion of the style, views, and abilities of a writer. The name of Channing is so well known as to make it quite unnecessary to speak of anything but the volume before us, which has all the excellencies and defects of its author. The first sermon (in two parts), extending to eighty-eight pages, is an able summary of the Evidences for Christianity, shewing that the notion of a Revelation is consistent with all our notions of God; and then pointing out the strength of the evidence of the Christian revelation, and refuting (though without specially noticing them) many common errors; as, for example, the notion that the evidence is wearing out that there is no proof of the genuineness of the gospel—that Christianity was merely a clever compliance with the spirit of the age, &c. &c. There are, indeed, some parts to which one cannot at all assent. It is true, for example, as Dr. C. says, that Christianity was not intended to erect a spiritual domination; but it is very weak and unworthy of Dr. C. to see no better proof of this than the (false) assertion that it orders no ministry. Its ordering a ministry is perfectly consistent with its not tolerating that its ministers should usurp dominion. This sermon too is disgraced by its Introduction, which is a mean homage to the loud demand for abuse of all that is, a common-place tirade against priests and priestcraft, and the abomination of abusing infidels instead of treating them kindly. It is curious to find Dr. C. doing precisely what he abuses priests so unmercifully for. He says, that undoubtedly a bad life does lead men to reject Christianity, but that if he saw a man living morally, and yet rejecting Christianity, he would not accuse him of doing so from a bad life. Really Dr. C. must know perfectly well that priests say not one word more. They, like him, judge no particular case, but, like him, they assert generally that immorality disposes the heart to reject the pure doctrines of the gospel. The second sermon, on the Character of Christ, is in one respect excellent. The Rationalist contends that our Lord was always accommodating himself to the character of the times; and Dr. C. has very ably shewn how completely one characteristic of his ministry was his entire opposition to all prevailing feelings and opinions. But what are Dr. C.'s real opinions of our Lord? He talks of his oneness with God, of his power in heaven, of listening to a Being such as never before or since spoke in human language, of his being clothed with divine power, of his having a consciousness of more than human greatness, and of unrivalled and divine glories, of his reigning in heaven, of God the Father having purposed our recovery from sin and death, and for this end instituted the agency and mediation of his Son, of his proffering the Holy Spirit to all who strive, &c. Yet he denies (as one would expect from his profession of faith) the doctrine of the Trinity,-allowing, however, that it can be proved by detached texts. What are his opinions? It is quite below him, by the way, to refer to 1 John, v. 9, as the text on which the doctrine mainly rests. He must know better. He asserts (and nothing more) that the doctrine is against the consent of scripture, quoting (as he accuses his adversaries of doing) two or three detached texts on his side. Fifty Trinitarians, as learned and powerful as Dr. C., have asserted exactly the contrary. Of what use then are his assertions?

The fourth discourse is a good deal like St. Simonianism. Christianity has not yet done its work. A new principle must be revealed to man-a new revelation made; for the old bonds of society still exist-instinct, interest, force. This new principle is to be established on the ruin of the pernicious principles

in church and state which have so long divided men into the abject many and the self-exalting few. The new principle is to be the discovery of something great in human nature. Then there will be a real brotherhood, and love will be everything. Dr. C. sees in the revolutionary spirit (as he himself calls it) clear indications of the approach of this era of perfection! To be sure he expects sad irregularities in the development of this principle (a few millions of throats cut, for example); but that, he says, is the case with all great principles; and his comfort is, that it is quite clear that all old institutions are to be subverted. These are delightful doctrines for the pulpit; but when a preacher will thus bow down before the idol of the day, he will have, no doubt, a name and a popularity—which will not last,

This review has exceeded all limits, and must here conclude.

The New Testament, with a Commentary, consisting of short Lectures, for the Daily use of Families. By the Rev. C. Girdlestone, M.A., Vicar of Sedgley. Vol. I., Part II. St. Luke and St. John. Oxford: Rivingtons, 1833. 8vo. Pp. 360.

MR. GIRDLESTONE deserves the best tharks of heads of families for this work. It is better adapted than any in the reviewer's knowledge for its particular purpose; and many a head of a family, whose business or duties call him much from his own house, and thus prevent him from preparing himself duly for giving Christian instruction to his household, will feel the advantage of this work. It is not exactly a commentary, but a series of very short lectures, in an earnest, practical, and affectionate style, on the leading topic of the passage of scripture prefixed to each lecture. The same faults as were observed in the first volume may be found in this, i. e. the occasional (though not very frequent) use of hard words, and a strange love of inversion in the sentences.

A Harmony of the Four Gospels in the English authorized version, arranged according to Greswell's Harmonia Evangelica, with References to the same. By R. Mimpriss. London: S. Low. 1833. 8vo. pp. 351.

MR. GRESWELL's admirable Harmony is unquestionably the best and most convenient and useful ever published, and, by his permission, the author of this English Harmony has adopted his arrangements and referred to his very learned and able dissertations. Great pains have been taken in these respects to render this work useful. The author has introduced many of the original words in parentheses to shew where our English translators have varied in their rendering of the same word in different gospels, or where the words in parallel passages differ. Altogether it is a very excellent and useful work. It appears to be intended as a companion to a chart; but it will be found very valuable as a separate publication.

Letters from Sussex Emigrants, &c., &c. Petworth, and London: Longman and Co. 1833. 8vo. pp. 103.

THIS is a collection of letters from the large party sent out by Lord Egremont's munificence. Every precaution was taken by the friends at home to satisfy themselves of the genuineness of the letters. The emigrants were between 7 and 800 in number; and there are letters here given from twenty-eight of them. The Preface states that the committee which managed the emigration has taken pains to see all the letters, and has not yet seen one in which the writer regrets the step he has taken, but very many which say the contrary. This is consequently a very important volume, and should be widely circulated. It contains much useful information besides the letters.

Seven Sermons preached during the Cholera. By the Rev. C. Girdlestone. London: Rivingtons. 1833. pp. 108.

THE narrative prefixt to these Sermons, concerning the Cholera in the Sedgley