Star.
London, England, 1823-08-18 00:00:00

TIIE PULPIT.

The Scripture maxim, that 4, for the soul to be
without knowledge is not good," seems to give a
peculiar impulse to the philanthropists and literati of
the nineteenth century, and while the former are zea--
lpusly exerting themselves to procure the fulfilment
of the pious wish of his late Majesty, that every child
in his dominions should read the Bible, the latter are
equally active in providing that literary food which
is soessential to the mind's health. It had long been
a reproach, that good books were dear and scarce,
and that the only cheap literature was either blasphe-
mous or seditious; that reproach exists no longer;
and we now see works of the lowest price, which have
for their sole object, the making of men wiser and
better. As a proof that the Public were weary of those
works which sought only to unsettle their minds, as
to religion or politics, it is only necessary to observe
the avidity with which those cheap periodical publi-
cations directed to a better object have been purchased.
The Pulpit, of which some fifteen or sixteen Num-
bers have appeared, is perfectly original in its design.
It contains every week a report of two or three Ser.
mons, by the most eminent Preachers in, London and
its vicinity, with critical remarks. The Editor, dis-
claiming all peculiar sects and parties, does not con-
fine himself to the Divines of the Established Church,
but notices the pulpit effusions of various classes of
Dissenters.--lie avoids all controversy on doctrinal
Points, and praises or censures their Serrnonwas they
accord with or differ from the pure principles of the
Gospel. His critical remarks display much acuteness;
they are written with pointed elegance, land display a .
manly boldness, which, must make the opinions of the
Editor be respected, even when they ate the most se-
sterely felt. Review of Religions Works, Missionary
Intelligence, Dying-hours Of Christians,.Gospel Me-
lodies, and a variety of other interesting subjects,
form the miscellaneous part of the Pulpit, which is
conducted with a spirit, and displays talents, which
would give value to any work,

KING CH A RLIISTI" PIIAYta Boot.— Considerable
interest was eicited in Dumfries, last week, by the
rale of a valuable library, the property of .the late
John Bushby Maitland, Esq. of Eccles. Not a few
of the books were rare and curious, and in ge-
neral they brought handsome prices. An old folio
prayer book sold for £lO sterling, after a keen con.
Lest between a Nobleman and a professional Gentle-
titian. On a leaf of this volume, which bears the
Stuart arms, is written King Charles' Prayer Book,
and it is said to be the identical copy which his Ma-
jesty reactfinm on the scaffold, in his last liffld trying
hour. It 'farther appears to have belonged to Dr.
John ilutton, physician to King William, mid a
native of Carlaverock, near Dumfries. The same dis-
tinguished -individual bequeathed his library to the
Presbytery of Dumfries,. and purchased, besides, an
estate in the parish of Oplvend, which only cost
thousand pounds, but which now adds about 1400
.per annum to the session funds of his native parish.
• WICKLIPIPIea TUTAMENT.—Robert Keck, writing
to Ilearne, 1717-18, tells him he has in his study a
very good and correct MS.,copy of ‘Vicklite's trans-
lation of the hew 'Testament, upon, vellum, in which
.he says" I do net remember to have -met whistle
watdiumfft, ejerpt in the I2th chap. of the novae-
tions, in whiih it eciits twice, joined in-i
stead of malS nChlii. verse .thj
. a i the i
• And ahe bare a; • acre and again, T. jp--
' He pursuede the werninian that bare the koave-
child. Iris tried in this sense by Chaucer—.

`• Oa Idea be gat a knave child* anon."
Man of Lams' Tales, L 1120.

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