The National Register. — London, England, 1811-10-20 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGI of the historical departments of the holy volume. Yes such applications should be exercised with care. Mr. Boden's sermons are much of this stamp; but his topics are not aim ays chosen with that judgment which otherwise generally distinguishes him. His language is torrett, and his periods are well turned... Perhaps his great sentences are too measured. He is able and fervent in prayer. Concerning his whole de portment, solemnity forms its characteristic. Considerable abilities this Preacher most unquestionably has; yet impartiality would not place him in the first rank of clerical characters. He is intelligent in hirwelf, and edifying to others ; conciliating and interesting, as to delivery ; but be falls short of those higher powers, which render the Pulpit irresistibly avail able to its important ends. Others may think 'of him snore highly. Mr. Boden has long been one of the established contributor* to the Evangelical Magazine, and is otherwise known from the press. He is now rather on the advance in years ; but his ta lents, as a preacher, are in full strength. Let him work while it is day. He has hi! sphere of good, and may do much in it. ONESIMUS. PLAN FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OP A FLYING CLUB. As Aeronautism Is once more becoming fashionable, we have extracted the following letter from a Morning Print. From the hints which it contains, we have no doubt much use might be de rived to science in general, as they tend to perfectionate the means of observation which Aeronautism presents, both to the Astro nomer and Natural Philosopher. We also trust, that in emula• Lion of the Four-in-hand Club, a body of equally public- spirited . men will apply their fortunes to the realization of the plan pro posed in the postscript to the letter : and that in due time we shall have, not only a set of air jockeys also composed of Honour ables and Peers of the land, but shall see the merits of the rival clubs decided by a race performed, by the one on the ground, and by the other on the air, or rather the dust they raise above their heads. ely Pulpit. No. XLIX. imruil• • Wbatioever ardonrs of Divine -Love have been kindled in a soul united to dash and b'ood, may also be kindled, lay.tbe same influences of Grace, its other Spirits labouring under the nine clogs and impediments ! DR. WATTS. Task not privileges above the capacity of my nature. nor aspire to the perfection of angels; I only ask that may reach those heights of holiness. and Divine love, which souls invested with a mortal body like mine, and It:cumbered with the same human passions, have attained. MRS. ROWS. Rev. JAMES RODEN, of SHEFFIELD. Religious enthusiasm as men still call it—energy it might with trutli Ire called—is not so bad as religious formalism. There should be no neutralization as to this point. The faithful must babe the faith at heart; but those who preach to them, above all. Christian pastors should stand pre-eminently distinguished for their zealous impulses. Not only must they' be shining, but burning lights. They rust give heat, not less than light. 14 What mis-suggestions have I waived !" says our good Bishop Hall, speaking of the evangelical clergymen of his time. •' What blows (observes this prelate) have I borne off, in behalf of some V' them, from some gainsayers! How have I often and publicly professed,—that as well might we complain of too many stars in the sky, as of too many orthodox preachers in the church !" Thus deilared that good and wise and learned man. May there be yet found prelates who shall think as he thought ! Such lights alone aern our church.--She towers then upon her hill ; and her glory shines before men ! There is now no night. • Darkness and danger both withdraw. She disperses both. Seen afar off, her splendour guides. Sought afar off, her shelter saves. Now faced is this Hill of Zion found to yield a thousand sweets. " a thousand sacred sweets, "Before we reach the heavenly fields, or walk the golden streets!" Imputations of formality, respecting religious profession, are not, however, by any fairness to be deemed exchisivey ap • plicable to s3ch individuals as may communicate with establish ment. Dissenters are as liable to coldness as their opponents. Formal though without all forms,—nor one jot less so than if they had such forms,—they are lukewarm like others. Justice extorts this passing remark. Men can still worship in spirit, by forms; and be willout it, although free from forms. Those -whom this most a6cts, perhaps will own its truth. The Rev. JAMES BODEN, who has been for some years Mi nister of a respectable Dissenting Congregation at Sheffield, would, probably, be heard with at least decent patience, by those 160 otherwise reprehend and jeer at the best Preachers of this day. He is decorous, intelligent, evangelical. He offends none, but pleases all. Action is sparing in him. He is in this respect pleasing, but not striking. What Johnson writes of Dr. Watts, will be applied to him,-.-that " he did not endeavour to assist his eloquence by any gesticulation; for, as no corporeal actions have any corres pondencp with theological truth, he cid not see how they could enforce it." There is another trait in which he much resembles Dr. Watts. " Such was hits flow of thought," biography will say, in the style of Johnsor4 " and such his promptitude of language, that he did not precantpose his cursory sermons; but having adjusted the heads, and sketched out some particulars, he trusted, for success, to his extemporary powers:' Here Mr. Boden is great. Assured that all Sacred Scripture was given for our instruc tion, individually and universally, criticism will not be disposed enddenlyto hid fault with what are termed spiritual'applitations TO THE EDITOR. SIR—I Atll of opinion, it would be much safer for those who ascend with balloons, if the gas, instead of being all confined in a large one, were divided between two or three smaller ones, if one should burst, the other would check the rapidity of the descent, and prevent their being dashed to pieces : It would he also more secure in landing, as the gas can escape much easier and quicker from small than large ones, which would prevent that rebound from the earth which oceasioned Mr. Sadler's accident. By the union of half a dozen, or half a score balloons, power to a considerable extent would be obtained ; with this additional recommendation, the greater the number, the less the danger. A diminution of danger and an increase of power will give confidence to Aeronauts, and may lead to the discovery of a method of regulating their course, tacking, &c. A round car, I think, is preferable to a long one, it always presents the same fur face to the wind, and its motion will be more regular; a long one will sometimes incline to a circular motion, and if the wind is strong, force the balloon round with it, which happened at the last ascent from Ha:ltn,..y. A balloon being an artificial bobble, is governed by the same laws of motion as those which ascend from a tobacco-pipe, and never can acquire a circular motion, unless it meet witis a whirlwind. MECHANICUS. P. S.—A whimsical neighbour of mine is preparing an appa ram.; composed of two small balloons, which will support the weight of his body, permitting his feet just to touch the ground; these are joined as boys join bladders or coats for !caning to swim, and are to be fastened under the arms in the same manner, the weight of the body being supported by the balloons; he ex pects, with the addition of a couple of wings, to be able to walk. run i er fiy, at pleasure. -;-:•• 4t-4